Maine and thesis photo reference

In early September I spent a week in Maine at a 100 year-old cottage that I won in a silent auction at a local fundraiser. The area north of Freeport, between Brunswick and Rockland, has many peninsulas reaching south into the cold Atlantic Ocean. South of Damariscotta, straight down on Rt. 129 at a place called Christmas Cove, this cottage sits on a rock facing east to Johns Bay. In the distance, a view of Pemiquid Point and beyond that, the famous Monhegan Island. The sunrise with coffee (and a heavy sweater) on the screened-in porch was both serene and energizing all at once.

On this peninsula of Bristol, at Hatchtown Farm, live Pam and Jim Child. Check out their web site. They came from New Jersey in 1993 to make their hobbies into their livelihood. Sustainability and good husbandry practices are top priorities on their farm. They raise Coopworth sheep, pigs and a variety of heritage breed chickens that lay the most beautiful eggs in tones of light blue and peachy beige. It was here a few years back in their fiber studio that I bought my first sheep fleece to learn how to spin on my new Louet spinning wheel.

On this visit with friends, we toured the farm and learned more about the many hours of hard work and dedication it takes to run a small farm. I took many new pictures to use as reference for my thesis project.

Assignment: Magazine Cover

Choose a decade. Tough to pick just one. I finished reading "Red Rose Girls" by Alice (Bunny) Carter, then jumped into the biography of N.C. Wyeth by David Michaelis, so I presently feel totally immersed in the 1920's and 30's. I did some sketches of a Jessie Wilcox Smith style "child in a garden" and realized the assignment calls for a famous person of the chosen decade. Hmmm, children were not famous back then. Well, except for the "Little Rascals" silent films, but the ragamuffins wouldn't deserve a magazine cover in that period of time. Jessie Wilcox Smith was all about idyllic scenes of everyday life, lots of mother and child subject matter for her Good Housekeeping covers.

So, I'm trying out Amelia Earhart, July 24, 1897 – missing July 2, 1937, declared dead January 5, 1939. She was learning to fly in the 20's. "Working at a variety of jobs, as a photographer, truck driver and stenographer at the local telephone company, she managed to save $1,000 for flying lessons. Earhart had her first lessons, beginning on January 3, 1921, at Kinner Field near Long Beach but to reach the airfield Amelia took a bus to the end of the line, then walked four miles." (Wikipedia)

My other thoughts were of Dorothy Parker. A very interesting woman, but, not finding much reference photography for sketches. Still thinking about her though.

Sheep make wool

I am acquainted with sheep and wool in the world of knitting and spinning. I am starting to show ideas for thesis images. Early ideas that I know will grow and change in the next year. Let's see what becomes of this journey.

Quieter

I had a conversation with Murray Tinkelman, director of the MFA program, and received some valuable feedback. So, some changes have been made to soften the barbed wire and not interrupt the beauty of the elements of nature. I may be trying to do too much in one illustration. To tell this whole story would require more than one image. So maybe back to square one. Just a beautiful image of the wet walking garden in The Japanese Tea Garden of Golden Gate Park!

A thing of beauty, an uncomfortable story

Baron Makoto Hagiwara actually constructed the garden, its pavilions and tea house. Designed in a rustic style to address the rugged site and its surroundings, the original Japanese Tea Garden included a large public area and small private area for the Makoto Hagiwara family.

The Hagiwara family lived in, maintained and enhanced the Japanese Tea Garden from 1895 until 1942 and the beginning of World War II, when they were forced to evict and relocate to concentration camps with other Americans of Japanese descent. The garden was renamed The Oriental Tea Garden, many structures were demolished or moved from their original locations, sculptures disappeared and plants died or were relocated.

Latest Progress

I need to adjust colors, but so far this is where I am with the San Francisco project. More to come.

Makoto's Garden

Here is progress on my San Fran assignment. I was stunned by the peaceful beauty of the Japanese Tea garden. Upon returning home and reviewing my images I was drawn to this garden and its history. I hope I can do it justice.