Exploration #9 - Case of Curiosities

Miniature Museum: Collect only very small things.  Store them in a mint tin or small box.

My collection is of one of my favorite things: words.  In keeping with the theme, I collected words that denoted "small".  I placed them in different handwriting and fonts on top of my watercolor.  I then added a texture to the top.

This was actually pretty fun to do, as it touched on all my favorite elements =)

Exploration #8 - Cracks

CRACKS - Map out pavement cracks in your neighborhood. 

The parking lot where I live is nothing but cracks, so this came fairly easily to me :)  Not necessarily the most sightly things, but like fingerprints and snowflakes, each are unique :)

World of Color

Exploration #7: Collect paint chips from a paint or hardware store. Find colors you respond to in the world. Attempt to match them using the chips. Make note of where you saw the colors.

My friend, agreeing most of the paint chips I gathered are totally wrong for this job:

~ Golden Bronze / rust on pipe ~

~ Lemon Grass / hue on part of this seed ~

~ Very Berry / hue found partially on this plant ~

~ Lemon Tart / pretty yellow flower near where I park ~

~ Silver Birch / Color found on part of stem and upper lining of feather ~

~ Sunflower / fire hydrant ~

~ Vibrant Day Lily / flower screaming with hues of this color ~ 

Archaeological Dig

Exploration # 6

Collect objects that relate to your childhood or inspire memories.  Write a brief story to accompany each object.

Alternate:  Re-create objects from your childhood using found objects or readily available materials.  You may choose to re-create your childhood room on a miniature scale using found materials.

My first one is a house of books.  To re-create, I used hardback covered books in my possession.  As a child, I used to make this all the time out of children's books, including those by Dr. Seuss.  My brother and I would play pretend, and the subjects entering the multiple "houses" (with secret passageways and many rooms), comprised of Barbies, army men and farm animals, lol.

Another thing my brother and I would do while indoors is create our respective forts, made up of bedsheets and surrounding furniture.  While inside, we were transported to other times and places.  Sometimes we'd take turns visiting each other's forts to chat about fanciful kid stuff. :)

For as long as I can remember, I've been an animal lover -- especially, a dog lover.  This is Novie, our second family dog.  Our first one, Blackie kept escaping from under our yard's surrounding chainlink fence.   His last escape was the last time we saw him.  I think it's because my parents were too tired of retrieving him from the pound.  My family considered Novie my dog because whenever I was around, he would stay by my side and bark at my other family members.  He disappeared one day, as we noticed our yard gate was open ... similar with what happened to my last dog, Shadow ...

Seeing the chainlink fence (Novie is biting) also reminded me of I how would habitually climb those fences, walking across them, as if walking on tightrope.  I had soooo much fun doing that.  

The last picture is one of mollusk shells, collected from my backyard.  They were left, compliments of my backyard friends (Green Herons and Limpkins), who pull the mollusks from the pond/lake and dine on them on the grass -- The action of pulling stuff from the pond brought back memories of me and my relatives hanging out near ponds and ditches, collecting tadpoles, minnows and small critters resembling crawdaddies ... I'm also reminded of the time I lost my balance and toppled in.

Lastly, it also reminds me of how bucketfuls of oysters were brought to our house for our family and relatives to feast on.  It's where my love for raw oysters originated.  As it takes time to shuck them, my impatience would have me attempting to shuck them myself but my dad never allowed me, fearing I'd cut myself.

Speaking of impatience, my impatience is having me wish I were nearly done with all my explorations, and sighing a breath of relief that I'm one step closer, lol ...  ;)

The First Thing You See

Exploration #5

Start a collection based on the first found object you see on your walk, whatever that is.  You decide what the connection between the object is (can be based on shape, color, size, etc.)

I was disappointed that the first object I saw was a dark, broken, paperclip ... and decided to instead wait until I found the next object (which I hoped would be more glamourous) ... only, my next found object was a bunch of flattened wires, resembling a witch or witch's hair, so I took it as a sign my collection would be wires :)

Laura love helped me out (during our PhotoWalk outing) by finding the bouquet of wires wrapped in yellow, as well as the long wire that I coiled up for the photo.

Wires have never been my thing, but who knows?  An interesting array of them (possibly put together as a wire sculpture) would make for a great conversation piece. ☺

Daily Walk

Daily Walk: Collect objects only on your way to work or school every day. (Try to collect thirty).

Considering, my walk to work consists of walking to and from my car, this didn't lend much in the way of opportunities, as the parkings lots where I live and work are for the most part, debris-free. So to avoid setting myself up for failure, I collected half of what was assigned.

The nature collection was fun, but the parts of me that felt like I was picking up trash was not so fun.  I passed up cigarette butts and used bandaids, ick! Aside from the flora, each piece has a history ... and makes me do what I do best: wonder ... :)

Laura, congrats for collecting all 30! I didn't find any toys in my path :(

Kym, after seeing your Light exploration ... I so can't wait to see the items you collect for this exploration :)

~ Pink flowers ~

~ Small red flowers ~

~ Orange blossom ~

~ Branch of leaves ~

~ Purple leaf / bud ~

~ Pods, young and old ~

~ Spotted Leaves ~

~ Piece of a plastic wrapping ... to I don't know what ~

~ Small rock ~

~ Smooshed top to plastic cup ~

~ Small piece of broken plastic ~

~ Small chip of what appears to be granite ~

~ Receipt of which peanut butter was purchased ~

~ Sizeable chunk of a roadway ~

~ Tiny, white feather ~

Let there be Light

Exploration Number 3: Light

Collect objects based on how they reflect light. List the different qualities such as reflective, translucent, refracting, mottled, etc. (try to collect 30 objects). -- Alternate: Light vision. Start to pay attention to light patterns, reflections, and projections. Consider they are everywhere. Document them.

I did a little bit of both ... indicating some qualities and light patterns. Here's my museum of images relevant to the assignment:

~ Bokeh of colorful, hexagon-shaped patterns

~ A given: Spherical reflection on mirrored surface

~ Clouds and nearby building reflecting on water's surface

~ Sun's reflective glimmer on water's surface with sprinkles of hexagonal bokeh light

~ Patterns of light projected through the railings, offering contrast to the shadows

~ Light projected through the leaf onto the sidewalk, leaving an interesting pattern of light and shadows

~ Lit lamp refracting on the glass sliding door, giving it the appearance of floating on my flowered "spring" sign

~ The backlighting brings out the plant's highlights

~ The surface of the spiderweb reflects iridescent light

As a photographer and visual artist, I found this assignment an easy and fun one.

Every Experience is Unrepeatable. ~Italo Calvino

Exploration #2 - EXPERIENCE COLLECTION

Make a list of things you notice on your travels or experiences you have. They could be very brief notes including location, time, date, etc.

Date: 6/16/2010 ~ Time: Undocumented ~ Location: Sitting at my desk at my place of employment

I SEE:

Tungsten lighting overhead. Neat piles of typewritten papers flank both sides, atop a smooth, white desktop. The black stapler and tape dispenser contrast it ... and touches of color include the red from a plastic up and the flourescent yellow and pink from highlight markers.

I HEAR:

Sounds of a rattling air conditioner and the ambient noise of co-workers in the thick of office work.

I SMELL:

Slight hint of Glades air freshener

I THINK/EXPERIENCE:
A phone crooked between my neck and shoulder as I wait on hold ... Meanwhile, I do a quick sweep of my senses to document the fleeting moment. I become anxious of ensuring my observations are thorough before I'm whisked away by a summoning boss and urgent e-mails.


Date: 6/16/2010 ~ Time: 4:53 ~ Location : My car in the Champs Restaurant parking lot, awaiting the arrival of Tammy.

I SEE:

3 flags of red and white in a distance, staggered to form a peak. The sway of a small branch, covered in green leaves and seeds. Shadows cast to my left. A cloudless, blue sky. A black car pulling up with a lady driver talking on her cell. Her hair is styled into a bun, and her hands forcefully massage an exasperated expression.

I HEAR:

The slight hum of my car, and the "On Fire" bellydance CD where the sounds of violin dominate.

I THINK/EXPERIENCE:

Mentally winding down from a hectic work-day. The coolness of the air conditioning blowing on my face and arm; the heat of the sun to my right. The gentle vibration of my cell phone as Tammy texts she will arrive in 4 minutes


Date: 6/17/2010 ~ Time: 11:45 am ~ Location: Kitchen, to celebrate the birthdays of my boss' partners

I SEE:

2 birthday cakes, 1 a huge, chocolate chip cookie decorated to suit a Gator fan; the other, an icecream cake with icing in turquoise, pink and yellow. Relaxed and celebratory dispositions of co-workers, cumulatively dressed in contrasting colors of bright summer and dark winter.

I HEAR:

Sounds of good cheer among a cacophony of voices, varied in pitch ... that moments before, harmoniously broke in to song to the tune of "Happy Birthday."

I SMELL:

Cooked chocolate chip cookie :)

I THINK EXPERIENCE:

A calm, in comfortable temperature ... among smiling faces ... while I finish my slice of the chocolate chip cookie cake, crunchy and scrumptious in texture and oversweet from the icing.


Date: 6/17/2010 ~ Time: 5:30 pm ~ Location: My place

I SEE:

My welcoming home

I HEAR:

The trickling sound of water from a mostly full plastic jug, flowing into a glass blender ... followed by the disruptive and slightly dysfunctional sound of my blender as it mixes my shake ... then I hear the cowbell-like sounds of my spoon as it scrapes against the glass blender as I ensure all remnants of the chalky to creamy textured chocolate shake fall into my cup.

I THINK/EXPERIENCE:

A content stomach and the feel of a plastic, weighty cup with beveled designs in my hands ... as I take in all the comforts suited to me in my refuge ... and note the design of the one-sided splotchy residue left on the cup I drank from.


Date: 6/18/2010 ~ Time: 5:25 pm ~ Location: Massage Envy

I SEE:

A dark room ... Light spilling from outside. Furniture includes a beige futon, soft in feel, with wooden arms, accented by brown pillows, moderate in density ... 2 tables, one brown holding 2 glass pitchers and plastic cups, and the other, glass-topped and holding a rectangular, white metal planter housing a green, plastic plant. On the walls are 3 square frames covered in dull gold and brown flecks, exhibiting tasteful art, and 2 wall lamps.

A discarded fleck of white paper lies obtusely on a berber rug of indiscernable color.

I SMELL:

Musky massage oils

I HEAR:

Barely audible meditation music where flutes dominate; sounds of conversation in the reception area, muffled by the walls

I THINK/EXPERIENCE:

Neck and back pain, a full bladder and an upset and gurgly stomach.

I anxiously await the arrival of my masseuse with concerns of her competence and wondering if i should take the time to pee first, but am afraid she will miss me if I go ... I go anyway ... coming back to anxious thoughts of how much time I'll need to spend working over the weekend.

Date: 6/19/2010 ~ Time: 7:30 am ~ Location: my surrounding area while on my bicycle

I SEE:

Black soot, or is it mold near the rear of my bike? 3 geese I couldn't identify, flying in a line about 13 feet high; my neighbors, half of whom were walking their dogs; Cloudless, blue sky; Melding shades of green, differing only by their exposure to light or shade; Trees appearing to loom toward me.

I FEEL:

An unwelcome blanket of humdity and windless air, made tolerable by the gentle breeze hitting my skin and hair as I cut through the air on my bicycle

I SMELL:

The dawning of a new day and the dampness of the Earth.

I HEAR:

The sounds of my labored breathing and the morning calls squawks and chirps of the birds in my area.

I THINK/EXPERIENCE:

My exposure to the morning sun was limited as the surrounding complexes and rows of trees blocked most of it out. My first ride out since I've lived here was a difficult and wobbly one, as I didn't notice until halfway around my area that both my tires were near flat. Disappointing exertion claimed my quadriceps with each petal. It was about sweat and dissatisfaction ...


I've read so many books on staying present or being in the now, which is always easier said than done. And sometimes it's so easy to want to escape from the present ... but it does have its benefits and rewards if you look for it ☺ ... ♥

How to be an Explorer of the World ... Exploration # 1

After perusing our usual spots at the bookstore, Laura and I came across a book in the art section called "How to be an Explorer of the World."

It may have been the playful cover, peculiar assignments or too much time spent in the sun, but after a quick glance through shuffled pages and uttering a few fragments of prose, Laura and I gave little thought as we plunged headlong into yet another long-term commitment -- only this time, to explore the curious and intriguing tasks contained within the book.

The tasks total 58, and at a pace of performing 1 task per week, we will have compiled just over a year's worth of life-museum-like observations.

The fact we are already bursting with activities and projects that necessitated an enforced schedule, make us laugh. What's one more enterprise? It's the mentality akin to those who rationalize: "Where's the harm in one more kitty or puppy?" LOL!

Our mission is to document and observe the world around us as if we've never seen it before. The book suggests that everything is interesting, and by week 58, we'll respectively see if we agree.

Exploration Assignment Number 1:

 Right where you are sitting:

Write ten things about where you are sitting right now that you hadn't noticed when you sat down. Use your senses. Do it quickly. Do not censor. Okay, begin:

1. That it's too dark to really see what's in my surroundings.
2. A grungy penny, tail side up and out of its place.
3. Colorless light reflecting on the floor's surface.
4. The direction of cast shadows.
5. The upward facing direction of my webcam.
6. That I have a popcorn-textured ceiling.
7. The temperature is comfortable, despite the air conditioning being turned up.
8. The label stuck to my hard drive.
9. Lack of neighborly noise.
10. The two repair spots on the wall near my couch.