fortunes & filler.

So life has successfully scrambled my brain again...and there are many words practically bursting from this body, but alas, I can't seem to find the time to update this here blog-let alone update people that I bump into on the street. So for now there are only fortunes & filler.

Two of my recent fortunes on wonton soup lunch breaks:

1. You are often unaware of the effect you have on others.

2. We must always have old memories and young hopes.

I especially love that last one...because there are many days that I feel exactly that-both young and old in one body. In fact, after listening to an NPR interview with one of my favorite writers, Alan Lightman, I've decided that my life progression is and has been anything but linear. This is supposedly the typical path of movement as a human...

I think my path would be more like a weaving loom. In and out, over and under the single strands that bind all the pieces of the grand scheme together-always flitting about, dancin' my way through the various relationships and landscapes that this life has to offer...

It would definitely be easier if I wasn't constantly burning with this desire/need to explore everything...to understand the way things work. They way we work.

It's all good.

Yep, things are gonna be ok. Funny how certain scenarios and happenstances within a day can turn your world upside down. But at the end of the day I'll forever be an optimist, so just gotta keep rollin' merrily along. Or so they say, anyway.

But things are looking up. I found my dream truck in an alley way on Wednesday.

Ain't it beautiful?






I love those stripes. It's perfect, literally exactly what I've been wanting. Needs a ton of work, but after it was all fixed up I have no doubt that I would jump in with my pup, guitar, and handsome man and drive off into the sunset to find a little house next to the ocean with a big porch, a baby grand and a horse in the yard. Oh, bliss.

Someday....

the strangest, longest week ever.

So it seems that the universe has thrown a wrench into the lovely, sunny thing that was my summertime machine. All the little wheels and parts were a'turning smoothly, rumbling along at just my life speed when all of a sudden the whole thing choked up, gears were grinding, smoke was flying and fires were burning and done.

And now here I am wondering what the hell happened. Damn moon. I love you but you've caused everything to run awry...

Is this what I get for living honestly?

For being myself?

Not sure what it takes to have some sort of sane existence. Things can be simple, I'm sure of it.

Hiatus.

I'm about to fall off the face of the blog-earth. I've been extremely busy and with little to no sleep, have been existing in a bizarre state of delirium that I haven't experienced before. At least not to this level.

I've got an edition of prints to pull and am leaving town tomorrow at 8am to volunteer at an art center in NC (Penland) for the rest of the week. Prints are due Monday...not sure how I'm going to get that done, but hopefully the skies shine brightly on this endeavor.

I'll leave you with a photograph from upstate. Gotta love it:

It's all about taking that moment and running with it!

So as my time in New York draws to a close, I've been getting pretty sappy...I find myself falling in love with just about everything and everyone up here, and have to wonder if it's not a sign of more L.A. NY time to come. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I know deep in that gut and heart and soul of mine that I will live here again....it just might not be for another 20-30 years. Sad in a way, but also amazing to have found a place that I adore enough to call home and really be me in.

Anyway, enough of that serious talk. Yesterday was the last day of the workshop, and I put the pedal to the metal. SERIOUSLY. I was putting wax on just about every surface I had brought with me or found while staying here, and ironically ended up with a whole slew of work! (This is strange for me because I'm usually what I call a 'slow artist'.) Then after class, 2 of my new friends-Beth and Rachel, and I headed in to Woodstock to drink some margaritas at a splendid little cantina called Gypsy Wolf. As per my upstate NY trend, I totally fell in love with the place as soon as we pulled up and I realized that the building was painted turquoise. I love that kind of bravery when it comes to paint choices! After that we poked around town, found a piano outside, petted dogs, bought books, and finally made friends with a harp player! Needless to say I was all over that thing as well...I'd never been around one before and had to try my hand at playing it.

Today I woke up late (well 9am...late for me..) and made breakfast tacos. They were fabulous and I couldn't have been more happy having the chance to just sit, drink coffee, and eat breakfast. It's truly a marvelous thing. Shortly after, I borrowed Chris's car and headed back to the swap shop that I'd stumbled upon two nights prior...there was a beautiful Italian accordian in the window and I had to play it in person. The woman who owns the store, Sam, was fabulous! We ended up chatting for nearly 2 hours, and by the time I walked outta there-complete with accordian, record albums and vintage jewelry-I truly felt like I was leaving a dear friend. Seriously, I've already been offered a position there if I move back to upstate! It was one of the best conversations I've had in awhile...truly ran the gamut and was fleshed out by the characters who kept stopping in and chatting for awhile. I really didn't want to leave that store...

But I did. Because I had plans to meet up with some of my old friends from the catskills! I went over to my friend Susan's house (she's an amazingly talented ceramicist who teaches classes at SM) and had lunch, chatted, bumped into another old friend and then took photos all over her property and studio... Then off to Sugar Maples, the art center that I used to work at, where I wandered around for awhile taking more photos...didn't know anyone there, so it was a bit brief this visit. But then I drove out to the mountain overlook where you can see 5 states all at once, and played my accordian just for the sake of playing it for the first time while looking at 5 states all at once! So far it seems like it was a good move, because I've already starting writing songs on it...! Can't believe it.

And now here I am. Last night in upstate, and I'm drinking a beer in the studio office before heading over to a little hang out...haven't really had much alone time in the past few weeks and I'm relishing the tiny bit I have right now. This trip has been fantastic in every way, shape and form, and I really couldn't ask for anything else. Well except for some sleep, but when does that happen for this girl? :)

Anyway, I'm heading into the city tomorrow and should have a marvelous time seeing some of my oldest (and best!) friends. Can't wait. But also can't wait to get back to Atlanta to see the one who has my heart all a'flutter....but that is a story for another day! Let's leave it at this: I've stumbled upon a certain someone who gives me miles & miles of hope and trust...and who gets overly excited about everything just like me! Couldn't get better than that. Damn straight.

P.S. There are photos to come for this entry...just don't have time to upload them at the moment.

Happy Wednesday!

So today was totally a little whirlwind in its own right. After pullin' sheets of paper until 2:30 in the A.M., I found myself suddenly not tired anymore-so I did some much needed catching up on e-mail and things of that nature...and then out of nowhere it was 4 AM, and then I was writing in my journal and then all of sudden it was 7:30 and I was waking up still in my clothes from the day before. Gotta love this Hudson Valley lifestyle!

Spent the day at R & F Encaustics in Kingston, NY and fell head over heels in love with everything about the place. And the medium!

I think I was born to work in wax, and couldn't be more excited about the pieces that 'arrived' for me throughout the day.
Then it was back to Rosendale, and Chris (the studio manager and an old friend) had some cervezas and comida at the Rosendale Cafe-a much loved place from the days I spent stomping around this little town. The sweet potato burrito was to die for!! And they had orgami windchimes with a Yoda! We were going to go for a late day hike but then ended up at the Cheese Shop where I found a slew of adorable vintage dresses from India and some fun stuff to give to friends.


And of course the fun couldn't stop there, so after taking several videos and photographs, we put some paper to dry and headed back to Kingston for some more cervezas! Snapper McGees's was a trip...the local 'laugh till you can't breathe' man (George) was there and kept telling Chris and I about the Vietnam war amidst single word exclamations such as 'kaleidescope' and 'menagerie'. Good words, my man!

So now here I am...tired as hell, but in love with being awake. Why do our bodies need so much sleep anyhow? I swear that I feel better when I deny myself of this sleep business....sounds crazy, but it seriously makes me feel more alive.

Anyway. Should have videos up of my NY random-ness pronto.

New York whirlwind.

I am in the great state of New York. After the most wonderful Sunday morning ever, I hopped over to the airport only to find that my flight had been delayed...then even after we boarded, they made us sit on the runway forever only to get to LaGuardia and sit on the runway there as well! It was a bit ridiculous to say the least. Then began my journey to Port Authority which led to more waiting because I missed the bus I was hoping on catching, and didn't get to my destination (Rosendale, NY) until almost 2 in the morning.

Yikes. I was one exhausted lady...

Then up early to start my first day of papermaking at Women's Studio...all in all a productive day-pulled paper until almost midnight, but still have many ideas to work through tomorrow. It has been great to be welcomed back (again) by all the folks I lived & worked with here...it's as if no time has passed at all, and I'm still that spunky little recent college grad who showed up here from Savannah almost 2 1/2 years ago.

Funny how everything changes and then nothing at all does!

Anyway, I should probably sleep...or eat...or cut stencils...or just exist away from this computer. Yay summertime in New York!

Gonna Go Be Amazing Everywhere.

Yes, it's true. This is exactly what I intend on doing for a good long while...years and years and years, people!

I just can't describe it.

Life has begun to serve up some of the richest moments with the most beautiful people lately... I feel like there is a golden glow surrounding everything I do, and honestly feel like just about the luckiest girl on the planet. Yesterday when I was at Home Depot buying wood and supplies for the shop, I realized that I had chanced upon free hot dog day! So after putting my stuff in the truck, I walked back over and the hot dog man called out to me and said, "Why look at that little ray of sunshine! It's not every day you see a woman walking around with that big of a smile on her face."

It was probably the best off handed comment I've ever received, and really brought things full circle...when you truly enjoy life, the others around you have no reason not to as well! So thank you, Home Depot hot dog man, you made my week.

As far as the week goes-it has been rather intense. After teaching my summer seminar workshop last week, I was thrown into proofing for our visiting artist project, then had to show up at 8am every morning to assist our art educators workshops, as well as record, as well as try and finish the new songs I've been working on, as well as get ready for the workshop in NY next week, and of course also try and have a little fun with the people who inspire and make me feel lovely & wonderful! Quite a plateful...but luckily I've stayed afloat.

I also managed to find my way into the old Atlanta prison farm and do a 10am 'attempt at glamour' photo shoot...












And I played on the proofing press while assisting the workshop this week...fun!



Well, time to hit the road.

The remnants of the infamous 'pink dye party'

This is what happens when you throw an old white tank top in a bathtub of hot pink dye...and decide that it needs something else for completion...so why not pull out an old stencil and some cans of spray paint?!
Hurray for spontaneity!

And there is much updating to be done, so look for another blog post within the next day or two. The summer of 2008 is turning out to be all sorts of amazing!

Over the past week of my life...

I have learned many things about many things. I've started to see the crazy meandering road that is my life path with a new sort of clarity, and even though things are far from perfect and always a far cry from being set in stone, it seems as if I've developed a new vein of energy to tackle the 'now'. My heart races at the thought of the next second, and even more at the notion of having million and trillions of them to live!

Since returning to Atlanta last Sunday, I've been busybusybusy and consequently tiredtiredtired! I taught a 5-day printmaking workshop for highschool students, started printing a edition of prints for the next SCAD printshop artist collaboration, had an interview for a possible art position working with Islamic artists/exhibitions, was invited to participate in a show at MINT gallery in August, wrote the music/and lyrical beginnings for (another!)new tune, took part in a bathtub rope/clothes dyeing party and somehow found time to get some sunshine.

Oh and I found another sweet hangout spot, Top Flr. I've attempted to find these little niches since moving to Atlanta, and still have only a handful that I truly adore. It definitely reminds me of a more low key Sapphire Grill-and having worked there for awhile in college, I totally have a soft spot to associate and now turn over with reckless abandon. Ha. And....

-they have Pisco
-their food (especially the truffles!) was really good
-the wine selection ain't run-o-the-mill
-there were good people sitting at the bar (always a plus for conversation)
-AND it's right down the street from where I used to live

So basically everything has been moving along swimmingly, and I can only foresee good things happening with my volunteer work beginning soon, my first (solo) show at Kavarna on Thursday, more SCAD workshop action next week AND of course my trip to NY on the following week! Not sure if I mentioned it already, but I received a scholarship to take a workshop at Women's Studio (where I used to intern) that covers papermaking & encaustics. I can't wait to slip into all day every day art making mode...and especially the papermaking...it's seriously zen all rolled up in paper fibers!

Anyway, here are some photos to compliment all the words:

Me and my students! Aren't they lovely?

Working away...



They made some damn good prints, and were running the presses on their own.




This is my demo print-miss that place (Catskill mountains).

And this what happens on a rainy Sunday when I hang out with my friends. First we eat a lot of food and watch a chick flick and THEN we dye 50 yards of rope hot pink. And of course there were a few shirts, socks and misc. items thrown in for fun:





Priceless.

Country Lessons

I always find it amusing that just when things are getting a wee bit depressing, life has a way of coming back and saying 'sorry for the tears, here's a fun time or two to make up for it!'. Well thank you, life. I've had the most marvelous week in Indiana...seriously. Here are a few things I've seen/done/learned since arriving last Thursday-I'm calling them my 'country lessons':

LINDSAY'S COUNTRY LESSONS

1. That somehow my alcohol tolerance increases radically while I'm at home.
2. It's much more fun to drink outside on friends' porches and around bonfires.
3. I sleep immensely better when I don't hear Moreland Avenue.
4. I can survive what I'm calling the 'Chesterton, Indiana pub crawl'.
5. My family's house/property is incredibly gorgeous-more than ever!
6. People from Indiana couldn't care less about discussing the nitty gritty. love it!
7. Diner food is better here than anywhere else.
8. I love weeding. Seriously. I could weed a garden all damn day.
9. I can now say that I've shot a gun. and I liked it!
10. I can make a whole room of people dance if I ask nicely.
11. I drive a mean manual track.
12. Life is better with a horse in the yard.
13. I feel more 'me' in the country.
So that's it for now. Hurray for Indiana! And hurray for having a damn good vacation in the homestate! It's back to Atlanta on Sunday...

No one was meant to be here more than you.

Why is it that the pangs of doubt have to return so quickly? Everything that felt certain is now being made to feel wrong...though in reality, it's not at all. Matter of fact, it's some of the most right I've been witness to in all my life. I haven't felt the heart wrenching twist of hopes going unrealized in a good long while...until tonight, when everything previously beautiful and easy is hitting me like a ton of bricks.

I cried when I got home.

Like a written off little country girl all alone at 2 am within the walls of a huge, sprawling city... I didn't want to do it. But the bed brought memories of purging skeletons to save the future, and sent my mind sailing back into the first golden moments of pure, honest to goodness brilliance...and that was it.


I remembered your eyes and your hands and the sound of your breathing...that first subtle lean against you...the earth to the sky-that immense space all in a matter of seconds.

...then your voice over the phone at 4 am-yearning for me to be the one who saw the world by your side. I am that girl on the beach with bare feet and flowers in her hair.

And I ain't afraid to wait for something that moves me this much.

Dear Mom, I think I'm in love.

And it has a removable top too....and most importantly, it's for sale in Atlanta!! Of course I would have to learn how to drive on the right side of the cab and shift with my left hand (it's RHD), but still!

For those who weren't aware, I have wanted an International Scout FOREVER....and now one is literally down the street begging for a test drive! I confess...I've already emailed the owner...and I usually don't act on these 'wanting' sort of whims, but that is one good lookin' ride.

So that (of course) has sparked me to think of all the things I've always wished and dreamed for... And then I remembered that I've always wanted to make a project out of this, basically an extended version of the 'Lindsay Loves' on my blog which will represent the whole gamut of places, people, material items, animal friends, etc. that I've swooned for at various times in my life. Not sure that's gonna happen tonight, but consider it on my running list of the silly things I do to entertain myself! Here's a start:

#1: An andalusian stallion...and a trip to Spain and/or Portugal to see them do this:
I could honestly look at this photograph all day. When I was a little horse crazed girl, my parents took me to go see a troupe of Lipizzaner stallions (andalusians are the ancestral forefathers of the lipizzaner) perform in my hometown, and I don't think I've been the same ever since. the stallions do a form of dressage that is basically an equine ballet...it's absolutely stunning.

Yep, I'm afraid nothing's changed. Still that horse crazed little girl! :)

#2: My beloved Scout. Maybe not in orange...I've always been a fan of the cream...but look at that cab!


Driving in the mountains with the top down and the hound dog in the back...now that's living.

A visual cornucopia.

So I'm still in my crazy little whirlwind...and a bit exhausted today after sleeping horribly last night. Not sure what it is, but lately there's been one night a week that I literally can't sleep more than an hour at a time. It's bizarre...and totally not healthy, because when I wake up in the middle of the night all I want to do is eat cookies and ice cream! (And if you're reading this Dad, you are soooo guilty of passing this down to me. Thanks a lot! Geeeeez.)

Anyway, so this weekend was wonderful. Made some new panels that I displayed at Eyedrum on Friday night as part of the FORM 2008 book release party/gallery show. I had an excellent time and met an overwhelming amount of supportive, amazing folks within the span of 2 hours!




And I got to see the lovely Linda Costa-a fabulous photographer and one of my favorite people to bump into around town...

Saturday I slept till noon and it was AMAZING. I can't even remember the last time I slept more than 5 hours, and though this was probably only a total of 8, it felt incredible. Then I spent the rest of the day at the laundromat and writing music-2 new songs in one week! It's amazing...the musical skies are just shining on me lately. And then flitted about Little 5 doing random things and chatting with folks.

Sunday I hosted brunch at my place with 2 of my splendid friends, Sarabeth & Jenna. We made omelettes, Swedish pancakes (my specialty!), chopped a whole cornucopia's worth of fruit, and drank cups and cups of coffee while listening to Ella Fitzgerald. It was a damn good morning.
Then more music writing-finished the latest tune...hoped the rain would break through the clouds...it didn't...made dinner with friends...lalalala and then couldn't sleep. And now here I am.

---------------->
Anyway, I've been rather scattered with updates on this here blog of mine...mainly because I've been so busy, but also because I woke up one day last week and my laptop had decided that a few of its keys were no longer necessary. These include:

-the 't'
-the right shift key
-the dash (-)
-and the up arrow

Perfect, right?! I never realized how much the English language used 't' until I had to copy and paste it while typing e-mails at home. Now that was some tough stuff. I could seriously tap Morse code faster than I could use that system.

So there have been many things I wanted to write about...and now I'm too behind to really write about them, so I'll make a list. Lists are always fun, right? Especially lists of pictures!





1. What the screenprint studio looks like when Cannonball Press rolls into town. That room looks marvelous all decked out in giant, beautiful wood cuts on canvas.

2. A close up of one of the wood blocks. Damn good. And they are amazing guys to be around. A nice combination, I must say.

3. And if anyone needs a squeegee rack in their printshop-you know who to call. I can now say that I'm a certified squeegee rack builder extraordinaire. Honestly, I'm getting pretty good at this building stuff...
Anyone have a job for a musician/photographer/printmaker/power tool wielding/builder girl? Something where I could work outside all day, sing as loud as I wanted, and wear jeans and a t-shirt to work? Oh and it would be perfect if you had a puppy. If this is you-CALL ME.

Oh and I forgot to mention...after all that recording work last week, I now have 13 tracks worth of tempos, guitar, piano, leads vocals and 5 songs worth of harmonies!! Funny that I hadn't mentioned it yet. It's still a bit surreal.

Oh and I wouldn't mind one bit if someone bought me a 4th of July present on Craig's List. I'm smitten from head to toe with this: