“…Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is
the strongest point of time…”
[Joy Harjo]
December 5, 2015 by
Studio News
December 2, 2015 by
:::EDIT:::
December 3, 2015
I am having to cancel my participation in the winter market in the Methow Valley on December 12-13 — please expect an Etsy shop update on those days, instead.
[I have seen the osprey miss her mark, rise up from the river with her talons streaming with water and weeds, beat her wings dry on the hot updrafts at the cliffs edge and try again, with fire in her eyes.]
[An Unlikely Marriage Necklace]
[Rags & Riches Cuff]
[An Unlikely Marriage Ring]
[When you fling your head back to sing at the sky, sing of what is in your heart.]
Alright. Here’s what I have going on. On the 12th and 13th of December I will be up in Twisp Washington at the Confluence Gallery (my home gallery) for a winter market. I’m working hard in the studio now and all my inventory is committed to that show. I don’t know what has come over me since this is actually my second “market-y” thing I have done in less than six months and perhaps the fourth show I have done in my 9 years of smithing but I really enjoyed my open studio tour weekend this fall and when my gallery asked me to do this winter market, my heart wanted to, so I said yes.
It’s been a lot of work, building inventory for this thing, and I’m starting to get tired and to physically break down a bit (neck and shoulder and back stuff…the usual…nothing that the hot springs down the road can’t fix though!). I have seven more work days in the studio before I make a break for the North and I’m going to make them count!
If you are in the area or in Seattle or wherever, I would love to see you in the Methow Valley at the market! The valley is artist rich, as I have told you before, so if you come to see me and my wares prepare to enjoy the work of others, too! I will have a lot of work left over after this show and look forward to updating my Etsy shop, finally, as soon as I can once I am home in Idaho again.
As for the actual pieces coming out of my studio right now, well, I’m just making what I am witnessing out there. I’m living in the wild, high desert of Idaho right now on a huge river and the bird activity is insane. I’m learning so much from watching and being a part of the natural world around me! It’s so much fun. It’s so much fun and I am creating with such joy. Such joy. I can’t wait to offer up everything I’ve been working on.
December 1, 2015 by
I stayed in bed to watch the sunrise from the loft window we sleep beneath. It came up like thin gold and shone on me so bright and warm. I looked out and saw the river steaming and roiling, climbed down the ladder to the back door, shoved my feet in my boots and went walking in the crystals and newness of the day. Later, we went out for breakfast which is one of my favorite treats of all. Then we visited all the beautiful places. Before I knew it, the day was gone and night was settling and pooling black against the cliffs and we made pizza for dinner. Now we’re reading books, listening to music and sipping tea and wine. Winter was made for days like these.
November 30, 2015 by
The Frank Church
November 29, 2015 by
Most of you now know I spent ten days in the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness of Idaho on my elk hunt this year. I want to share the images from that trip with you in this space and if you’d like to read a bit about it, you can proceed to the Danner blog where an essay about the trip is currently published and I have some of my field notes and images in a secondary post over on the Western Rise blog. Additionally, if you are following my Instagram account, I have posted portions of my field notes from the trip in conjunction with a few images from the trip in my feed.
I photographed this hunt in an official capacity for both Danner as well as Seek Outside and it was so much fun to blend work with play with the insanity of a backcountry high hunt. I’m still very happy with my work from this trip (so are those companies) (yay!).
This is one of the most amazing trips Robert and I have ever taken together. I hope you feel the wildness while you sift through these images.
Also, I am aware that many of you do not hunt and probably wonder things about hunting all the time! I encourage you to ask any questions you might have in my comment space! One of the reasons I photograph and share stories about hunting big game and upland is because it’s what I have always done here — lived my life with conviction and shared what I am learning. Also, I feel we live in a political and social atmosphere that is anti-omnivore, anti-firearm and anti-hunting. I share because I want people to know the truth — that there is a way to take life, so that you can live, that is full of beauty, respect, love and holiness. I am interested in clearing up any confusion there may be on the matter by educating folks as best as I can. I am interested in changing hearts and minds on the matter. It will be my pleasure to answer your questions as best as I can as well as bust any myths you may have been fooled into believing. Inform yourself and the make up your own mind on the matter! In the meanwhile, let me answer any questions you may have on how hunting legally works, how to get tags, general rules and regulations…ask away!
As always, huge thanks and love to Robert, for doing such a great job of teaching me how to hunt and how to hunt well (and there’s still so much to learn).
Lastly, please note:
There are a few images of a dead animal in this blog post since I had a successful deer hunt instead of a successful elk hunt — I feel these are beautiful, truthful images which is why I have shared them here. My goal is not to offend your senses. We hunt to eat. If you are intolerant of firearms, omnivores and the practice of harvesting wild, clean meat from wild, clean lands please do not leave me nasty, judgmental comments in my comment section in an attempt to publicly shame me for my life choices. Instead, please feel free to send me a respectful, intelligent email regarding your concerns on the matter:
thenoisyplume@gmail.com
Thank you kindly.
