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LXV

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LXI

LX

LIX, an interlude on Martha's Vineyard

In spit of a very personable guide, a guided tour of Martha's Vineyard has convinced me there is nothing worthy of a day trip on Martha's Vineyard.

The most noteworthy object I found to be the  bark shingles on the future native American information center, which the guide says they have been building for 3 years.  Even I could build a maybe 10x10 building faster than that, but I have never seen anything like these shingles. I was there sniffing them like a loon to figure out if they're preserved, as bark like that isn't super durable in my experience. I always thought bark houses were built out of birch bark, though brief search suggests elm was used, and these could be elm, though have guessed oak unassisted.  They did smell a little funny, but I'm not sure what elm would smell like...

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Back in woods hole and searching further afield for the tree of the day.

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LIV

Interesting how the surface is weathering, and of course if you look closely, evidence that there is always someone who thinks a disaster looks better with their tag scrawled on it...

LIII

After an exhausting 5.5 hour drive from Woods Hole, during which I dripped gasoline all over myself, (you can tell I'm from Jersey) and panicked upon discovering I didn't know how to turn the rental's headlights on, we return to business as usual:

LII

For the day two tree shots for day two in bucolic Woods Hole.

 

 

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Bucolic Woods Hole MA in which I unexpectedly find myself.

L

XLIX and a turkey in progress

Funny things roman numerals. 

This weekend I put some time into the third carving for my series at Teaneck Creek. I've been making my life easy and working on the piece in my studio from part of the oak tree that took you my van during Sandy. When its 90% or so finished I'm planning to bring it down to the Creek and do the final work there (as well as finish the wolf, and mount the turtle, which I have yet to do).  I'm trying something a little more technically tricky for this one. You can see on the ground behind it what will be the tail, created in a separate section of the same log. I am not looking forward to transporting this over rough terrain. I'm not looking forward to just getting it in the car... But I'm hoping working in oak this will prove a durable piece compared to the others in poplar, I'm trying to as much as possible work only with the heart wood.

 

the tree trunk of the day...

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More sky than tree stump.

XXXXVII There and Back Again

Just back from the Opening's artist residency at St Mary's on the Lake, Lake George NY.  A great time, got quite a bit of carving done, and got a bit of swimming and kayaking in as well. With the number of other distractions in an average day, there is something very amazing about being able to focus on your work as much as you want for a solid couple days, as well as being able to share your space with so many talented (and entertaining) artists.

The second piece I started while in Lake George from a small off cut of  'Log ' a giant walnut tree air dried for 30 years from which a friend did a life sized figure. 

St Mary on the Lake, Lake George, NY, and numerous trees which would fulfill my tree requirement for the day.

But having made it back, I have no chance of avoiding my vice of tree stump obsessing.

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Finally, I remembered to take a picture of something I have been working on during the now, alas, nearly over trip up to St Mary on the Lake, a small carving in walnut which I made pretty good progress on.

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Again I have forgotten to take work in progress pics or otherwise document anything that might actually be of interest to anyone else. Instead, a tree pic for the day.

XXXXIV

I had a reasonably productive day painting and caving, but once again neglected to take a picture of any of it.

Have to be satisfied with my alternative tree photo for the day. 

XXXXIII

 

At St Mary on the Lake, Lake George, NY. I started on a new carving, something bit different than usual, but typically forgot to take a work in progress picture...

 

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I'm now up at St Mary on the Lake Lake George NY, for an artist's residency.  So, once again I am going to be failing in my tree stump duty, But a last one for now, snapped before heading up this morning.

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Darkness, Darkness
Hide my yearning
For the things I cannot be
Keep my mind from constant turning
Toward the things I cannot see now...

Jesse Colin Young

XXXIX

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
James 2:16

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It looks more dreary from across the street...

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Back in NJ from my week in LA at the 19th International C. elegans meeting...