The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

Elizabeth Tova Bailey wrote this book and conducted writing classes everyday at Haystack. I decided to make a version that included a structure of a snail to highlight a part of the text. When you pick up the hill that the snail is ascending, the book cascades down in a three foot spiral.  I learned more about snails than I ever imagined. We actually heard wild snails eating. And carpenter ants gossiping. Haystack was definitely an intense (in tents? No, actually we stayed in cabins) experience!

Midnight at Haystack

The studio lights are on all night. We put in 15 hour days easily. Ideas....ideas...ideas. Who can sleep?

Lainy's leaves

Metal and prisma colors???

Burka Books

The Seven Veils Series spotlighting burkas, chadors, and various veils worn by beggars, nuns, widows and brides. Seclusion, protection, honor, shame, obedience, submission and marital bliss -not necessarily in any particular order.

The fire that made Lainy's Bowl

Lainy's Bowl

Imagine that just a few days ago this was a flat piece of metal. Hammer, hammer, heat, heat...

A new crop of Artist's Book makers

Here's our class of Artist Book makers - to the far right is Charles Hobson and to the far left, his assistant, Alice Shaw. There were artists from the East Coast, Korea and Germany and we worked constantly 24/7. We made AT LEAST a book a day, often more. I have now 30 handmade books. The other sessions included glass blowing, mixed media, handcrafted containers, metal and ceramics - what a beehive of activity. The open studios on the last night rival ANY open studios I have ever attended. So much quality work in so little time.

Good-by to MDI

Just leaving this glorious setting. On our way back to THE ranch. Should get there just in time for supper.
Have moved ahead on three new books...thanks to Rick's computer, Lainy's hospitality, croaking frogs and colored pencils.

First day's books

Lunch

Can't figure out how to get this image on the blog. Or the seafood smell.
We're just across the border
Kitterey, ME

Before we go to Maine we stop in France

This is Giverny in the Bronx. The New York Botanical Gardens have recreated Monet's Gardens. Imagine how many people can experience his art (of gardening) without trudging to France?

Re: HAYSTACK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL for CRAFTS

OMG!!! That is sooo fantastic MOM!!!

xoxox

Lauren

Lauren Selman | (510) 604-2617 

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 6:28 PM, Tina <thittenberger@me.com> wrote:

24 hour access to studies, nature, artists and creativity. Could this be heaven???





















Sent from my iPhone

HAYSTACK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL of CRAFTSS

24 hour access to studies, nature, artists and creativity. Could this be heaven???

FLYING BY NIGHT

So flying while dreaming of flying books. Holding back nightmares about Fahrenheit 451 and otherwise destroyed volumes (Alexandria Library being the ancient wonder) as modern violence, dust, must, book worms and neglect take their prisoners. 

Clutching them, without protest, into the grips of oblivion...

Somewhere there are optimists, sentimentalists or conservators. I want to believe that the books below have been set out to dry among myrtle trees (from which comes sacred myrhh) and vases of fragrant flowers to infuse the pages with honor and perfume. At least reconstruct some semblance of order.

Northern Lights

I've been told that we MAY see some Northern Lights - we'll be on Deer Isle right around the summer Equinox. 

Aurora Bora 

Ora pro nobis.

Off to Haystack

RED EYE on Friday to NYC then a glorious drive with LAINY LUCKADOO to Deer Isle, Maine to enroll  in BOOKS ARTS with Charles Hobson http://www.charleshobson.com/ Haystack International School of Arts and Crafts http://www.haystack-mtn.org/. I am sooooooooooooo excited.

Writing desk in the Amazon

From those wonderful folks at Paxton Gate...and Clarke and Lauren's great, great grandfather. Camping ala Amazonia 1912 anyone???

Amazonian Aperitifs

Don and Kay,
On Saturday, after class, let's all rendezvous at our house for a mosquito-free civilized gathering in the spirit of the early 20th Century explorers. The four if us will probably never go to the Amazon in real life, so let's do it now. We have LOTS of fruits, nuts, snakes and champagne.
Don, can you bring our case of Copeland Creek?

In the spirit of a Happy-Hour-and-a-Half, I'll have to make it brief since I've been invited (conscripted) to attend my honorary goddaughter's play at McNear at 7:00. You all can stay calm and carry on. Or eat, prey and leave.
Tina

To Los Angeles and Beyond

We went to the Tim Burton show in LA and the Museum of Jurasic Technology in a mysterious city. But nothing could be as mysterious as how Lauren got to work with THESE guys at the Emmy's.

It looks like they are actually enjoying removing the lady in the BLUE dress from the RED carpet. She may bring back a fashion that died with the Clinton Administration.

Flamingo Fling 2011

Written by Mama Flamingee Michele

   Our second 25th annual gathering fluffed our feathers and provided ample opportunity to reconnect in the fantastic setting of the wild and scenic Rogue River.  Momentum River Expeditions managed our four day/three night trip fulfilling our every need, giving us the gear we needed, the expertise and service we wanted and the most desirable meeting space ever!   Bet they never expected to see hearts and Flamingos on their rafts in pink duct tape! Ashley made our river arrangements and coordinated our river running with nary a hitch.  Every Flaminga took to the water in a "ducky" sometime during the trip and all felt confident on the paddle rafts in the technical rapids with our great guides Mara, Erik and Jeff and gearmaster Arden overseeing our bags.  Beautiful, warm, sunny weather greeted us each day, so jumping off the rafts and floating down river in our life jackets seemed natural to many. Being on the river brings us into the present and reminds us to "go with the flow".
    Double "ducky" paddlers Joanie C. and Joan A. proved most entertaining with Joan in the back workin' hard maneuvering the waves and Joanie sprawled in front taking in the sun.  Ashley double kayaked with all who wanted an expert's touch.  And Joanie's stash of beer sure tasted great after a day on the river.  It held us over until our daily cocktail hour...and a half.
   Flamingees always dress for Saturday dinner, and this year was no exception even though we were on the river!  Tina and Heidi adorned mysterious head dresses that transported us to the Middle East.  Maren and Barbara interwove scarves and flowers in their hair.  Judy wore the hand painted Flamingo shell necklace, a gift from far in the past that continues to attract attention.  Joan A made unique use of the Flamingo river visor gifts.  Even our guides got into the "pink thing".  No one ever did find out how Carolyn's pink tights ended up on guide Jeff...
   Our meeting room sparkled with Flamingo bling thanks to Flamingee Tina's treasure trove, not to mention the new champagne flutes Tina decorated and brought for each member.  And the bubbly flowed because Carol lugged bottles of the precious nectar to the Rogue for us.  At our meeting Flamingo historian and writer Jane entertained us with tales of Filomina.  Be ready for some new chapters next year as Jane has her pen in hand!   After Carolyn's revealing introduction we initiated new Flamingee Marlene Mills who arrived on the trip with pink galore. Welcome!...  We sang our Flight song written by Kris.  Thank goodness for Jane's fluent Spanish that helped us through the second verse.  Our gifts proved perfect for our special liquid tastes.  Wendi bestowed the coveted Flamingo Lampus - bedecked as never before - upon her unsuspecting roommate Suzie. And we completed all our "business" by lights out  because Judith handled her time keeper duties with much finesse!
   Even our Flamingo fellas got in the act.  Burt  (Marlene) sent along "Kayak like a Girl" stickers that found their way on our water bottles and bags.  Alan (Joanie) sent soft, cuddly Flamingoes that Joanie presented as prizes.
   The pre/post river run doings blossomed into a wealth of events.  In Ashland Judith and Carol organized cocktail parties, theatre parties, dinner parties, shopping parties, hiking parties and party parties, complete with a printed schedule,  for all who wanted to participate.  The special treat was seeing Originale Kris who visited the Ashland group and shared her sunshine.  Once off the river Judy was met at the river's edge by her dashing husband David  who whisked her off for a romantic sojourn on the Oregon coast.  Tina headed north for Portland and beyond.  Maren, Carolyn and Marlene stayed an extra night for more Ashland theatre.  Lucky Ralph (Carol) got to fly home five fluttering Flamingas.  It appears that three Flamingees are considering a move to Oregon.  Should the moves occur, we'll have mega reasons to return to this wonderland for future Flings.
   We have been flinging together for 25 fantastic years.  It is a time to celebrate friendships and sisterhood.  It's a time to de-stress and frolic.  It's a time for fun.  

Like daughter like mother?

While Lauren shuttled off to Istanbul, Bulgaria and points east, the Flamingees thought of her and found various ways to wrap scarves, boas and various fabrics in innovative styles for the final night of Flamingee Madness.

Half a flock of Flamingas

This is half the flock that rafted 45 miles down the Rogue River. Most of the hot pink was covered by helmets and personal flotation devices ( no longer called "life savers"). However, when on shore we were preened to perfection.
This is year 25 for these singularly silly flockings. Now daughters are now getting ready to be initiated into this August ( but more often winter) gatherings.
Flamingees do it with flair and, more importantly, on one leg with one knee bent (backwards, no less).

Laundry in Oregon

Actually this is THE only art on the walls of the Hoerner's completely remodeled new home. Chuck Pyle is now famous in Portland.

Petaluma Rivertown Revival July 30, 2011

We weren't in Italy this summer., but there is still the spirit of an Italian" Sagra" to be found in the oddest places this summer in Sonoma County.
The Second Annual Petaluma Rivertown Revival was billed as a "green" event so, of course, Anne of Green Gables showed up. Don't know if any one of the 8,000 tat-covered , crinoline flounced, Edwardian top -hatted, cowboy boots over stripped socks for all genders but very, very young Steam-punk crowd got it, but I enjoyed wearing the dress that Clarke used for his Helen Keller book report in fourth grade. I also discovered that suitcases make purses you cannot lose AND they double as seating devices. All in all, it was a magical day to support the Petaluma River with food that one doesn't normally see at these sort of affairs - deep fried panko pickle slices, hibiscus iced tea, ahi tuna wrapped in a sun-dried tomatoe with pesto tortilla and aioli. This weren't no corn dog place for eatin' low on the hog. Definitely high class. They even offered weddings for $5. Next year they might add divorces for $5,000. Easy in - costly out.

Bastille Day in Petaluma

Actually Bastille Afternoon at the Baumhefners - A marvelous series of B's without the Bees: Beautiful women, Buff Bachelors, Bodacious Boule, Bountiful Bottles of Champagne, Breakneck Bicycle Racing, BBQed Salmon, Bountiful Beets and Beans (along with potatoes, peppers, artichokes, and Shrimp Provencal) all accented by Aioli Monstre. You have to have BEEN there...