New Palm Frond Masks: Boston Terrier, Three Monkeys

My two latest palm frond masks are gifts to my brother's family.

The Boston Terrier pictured below is Bella, the Ari family dog. At age 16, blind and feeble, she is on her last leg. Here she is in healthier times, immortalized on the frond of a Queen Palm.
I searched in my collection of blank fronds (about 100 of them) for the one that had the closest shape to the characteristic stubby snout of the Boston Terrier. The fronds usually have bends and curves in them, suggesting noses, jowls, etc. This one was pretty close. Just a little upturn I could use for the dog's muzzle.  The angled shots below better show the shape of the frond.

Bella the Boston Terrier
Acrylic on queen palm frond
November 2016
a gift to the Ari's 

 And the mask below I made as a gift for one set of my brother's in-laws, who have hosted my folks and I for the last few thanksgivings. They are big collectors of art, and one recurring theme in their collection is the three monkeys of folk art: hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. This was my interpretation of the classic meme, which I call Hear, See, Speak ALL.

Three Monkeys, or Hear, See, Speak ALL
Acrylic on queen palm frond
November 2016
A gift for the Vorzimers.

Three Monkeys
Detail 

Three Monkeys
Detail

This video gives a feel for the 3D structure of the frond. Unfortunately, it's turned sideways, and I can't seem to fix that.
You'll just have to turn your head or your monitor slightly.
Thankyou.

Burning Man 2016: Photos and Stories, Part 3 (of 3) The Best of them ALL!!!

The temple was fairly glorious this year, in the style of a pagoda, designed by master temple builder, David Best, who always infuses his creations with a mix of eastern and western symbols and architecture, but always leaning towards the East. This year's was no exception, with its central spire hanging down, nearly grazing the spire jutting up from the stupa, the central altar, table or platform. As usual, Burning Man's participants fill the walls with writings, drawings, art, photos, small to large shrines, and every manner of mishmosh to signify their deep feelings to be released. All of it that's made to burn, is burned up in the final Temple fire on Sunday night.

I made it out to the Temple on Friday, after spending some time at the Man and surrounding Guilds.  I'd heard that the Temple this year was made from mostly (like 80%?) recycled wood, mostly from shipping palettes. The use of repurposed wood was a condition of the temple builder's son contributing to the construction.

Inside, I found my spot, which called to me with its offer of space and comfort. Sitting, I meditated for awhile, eyes open, just taking in the breathtaking beauty around me. The structure was amazing, and all around me were the beautiful members of my community of souls, all deep in their rituals: meditating, crying, leaving their remembrances. Without having any particular focus for my feelings, I just let the tears pour out me as they naturally would, my mind more or less a blank, just reacting to what I was seeing and experiencing. The deep and dramatic emotions released in this place just resonate around the cathedral ceiling, swirling around all occupants, a palpable force. It's hard to be in here and not be affected by it, not be swept along in the current of outpouring emotional energy.

After a time, having gotten my release, I was ready to move on.

As I wander outside, checking out the other structures on the temple's "grounds", a mighty vortex is whipped up in the distance.

The Lighthouse.
Of all the large art installations on playa this year, this was the grand-daddy, the big prize-winner, if there were such a thing. Massive, extensive, gorgeous, and no doubt one of the happenin' spots on the playa this year. I didn't go up inside it, as I eschew lines at Burning Man (unless it's for food). But, I got some good shots of the outside, and some of the art inside the towers. I also missed the burning of this structure, but I hear it was spectacular.

But speaking of burns, I did manage to catch the tail-end of the Temple Burn, and the subsequent swarming around the bonfire which is annual tradition. It's always a scene at the Man and Temple burns, with everyone doing their thing around, and in relation to, this absolutely huge and intensely hot fire.  One guy was using a space blanket over his face to get close enough to the fire to roast marshmallows, which went into s'mores which he was passing out.  Drummers and other musicians practiced their art. Dancers danced. All, pretty much, were wearing their finest playa outfits, except the many who had shucked theirs off, to cavort nude around the fire.

I became one of these, feeling as free and safe as I have ever felt with no clothes on. The raging fire was cleansing; I could use it to get as hot as I could possibly stand to get, and then cool myself off by stepping out of the circle, into the desert wind.  I knew the trick of keeping low to avoid the most intense heat of the fire. I laid down and scooted as close as I could get. This was a spectacle for some people. Those who did not know better must have thought I was broiling in the intense heat which they could hardly approach. But near the ground, it was cool, and the heat rose off the fire, for the most part missing my prone body.

I also did my manic dance around a smaller portion of the fire, building up from a slow interpretive dance, to my Happy Dance of Ultimate Joy(TM), and of course, as always, and without fail, my chicken dance, or "cock dance", if you will: flapping the wings, bobbing the head, and perhaps a crow or two.  A little while after my dance, a friendly gent approached me and told me that his lady had experienced emotional release from watching me dance. She had come to the temple burn with a recent tragedy to mourn and try to get release from.  As it was, she didn't get it, and was not feeling any better, even somewhat worse, until her boyfriend pointed out to her my carefree happy-dance. This made her laugh, broke the tension, and picked up her mood.  She seemed light-hearted in talking to me. They were both gushing with gratitude for my expression, giving me the endearing title of "chicken-man". I told them that's why I do it: primarily to express my own joy, but also to connect with the joy of others, which may be buried deep within.

My picture of the nudity is fairly discrete, I believe.

And then it was over. When the party ends, it really ends. Everyone gets the heck out of town.

The Teepee and tower to the left in the picture are the Tuna Guys, where I enjoyed a bite of undercooked tuna and a swig of Whiskey, Monday night, post-burn. One of the hold-out camps. 

My kinfolk getting the gear up on the roof for the trip home. Uncle Mike holding up Gerflash, while Nostrildamus facilitates.

 

At least it's now a straight path to the restrooms.

Inside the Porto, an exhortation taken from the bible, to not throw trash and other detritus in there.

Sticker of the Tuna Guys theme camp.

Zendo is a great organization, spearheading much needed harm-reduction efforts based on common sense, at Burning Man and other festivals.

Home, unloaded, and looking a bit weathered. Mostly dusty, but omigod, was I glad to be home!

After the first round of cleanup. Still much recovering to do, but feeling pretty slick.

My Four-Day Burning Man 2016 To-Do List/Plan in Water Color Paint and Sharpie

I made this wee list and planner for my last four days before leaving for Burning Man.
As it was, I was disorganized and unprepared, but this little colorful list kept me inspired and more or less on-track. All the extraneous, creative stuff (sewing new clothes) went by the wayside, leaving only the large strokes to focus on: shopping, packing, checking on basic needs like shelter and bed.

The addition of a caricaturing gig to my week-before-burning-man schedule, was both a godsend, and a monkey wrench in the gears. It ended up going for four hours, which helped me to afford my share of the rental car I drove in. But, of course, it delayed me in getting ready, and in leaving. With the looming gig, I could not run myself ragged, and had to be well-rested. When it was extended to four hours, I knew I would not likely get out that Saturday night. Sure enough, I was finally able to leave Monday, at 3 in the morning.

I will be better organized and prepared next year.  In any case, may I do it with style and some color!

GO!
Burning Man Prep List Plan 2016

Burning Man 2016: Photos and Stories, Part 2 (of 3)

After getting my home life in order, I finally had a chance to explore out on the playa, which for me means the Man, the Temple, and any large art pieces I can see along the way. This was a fun day of biking and participating. The scene at the Man was astounding. A ring of guild rooms surrounded the central structure, housing regional Burning Man groups' projects and activities. There were many serious crafts being practiced, and burners lined up in their dozens to participate and take home a handmade souvenir.  

Posing at the Last Supper of Minnesotan comfort foods, including lefse, lutefisk, spam, jello salad, and tater tot casserole. Yum!

Architectural workshop involving shapes. Kewl!

All-wood designs in the unmistakable style of Greg Fleishman. No relation.

The delicate carving into the wood panels give the Fleishman's designs a soft comfortable feel. The carved wood seats of his chairs are as comfortable as any cushion.

Did you hear? The theme of Burning Man this year was Da Vinci's workshop.

What? You didn't know Burning Man had a theme every year? That's ok, I forgive you.
Yeah, usually the theme is rather general and may seem a bit tacked on. This year they really delved into it, and created a central plaza reminiscent of old Florence.

The lion symbol of the royal De Medici family of Florence, rendered in repurposed metal parts.
The Vitruvian "Man" in the background.

The man himself, made burner.

I forgot who this is, someone from mythology, no doubt.

View of the guild halls in the background.

A carnival game with air-shooters.

Here I am again, as Jesus, having enlisted a few apostles, random strangers who were standing around.
Eat of my flesh, y'all!

Grawr!

Artsy Craftsy

The Man was originally intended to spin vertically, powered by burners turning a slave wheel below.  Due to the technical difficulty, of the Man's head being too heavy and holding the whole thing upside down, the Man was fixed in an upright position, sans spinning.

My campmate, Craig poses by the lion. Prior to this, we both had been participating in a rousing drum circle. The first thing I encountered as I entered the Man Plaza, a circle of drummers including Craig and some of my friends from the drum circle in Laguna Beach.  But not many people were dancing! What the heck?  Well, I fixed that, bringing my trademark moves: the Tevya, the Lindy Hop, and of course, the Chicken.

Hard to tell, but my shorts are from Italy, a print based on Michelangelo's David.

Craig and I reflected in the lion's chrome sphere, representing the world.

And then it's just me in the sphere.

And now a shot showing more of the lion's foot. Ok, I get it. Enough with the sphere.

In the shade of the central Man structure, looking out at the bustling guild halls.

On the way to the Man from my camp, this lovely naturalistic bear sculpture raised a paw to be counted.

You can't just look at it from a distance. To get the full experience from Burning Man art, you have to approach, interact, touch and be a part of the art.
In the background, to the right of the bear, is the Fire Spire, which flames up spectacularly at night.

In this case, approaching the bear revealed that the texture of the fur was all made of pennies stuck into the bear's surface. It was smooth and inviting to the touch.  Just one of these amazing art experiences out in the middle of the playa has tremendous power to transform and inspire people.  Imagine a whole week of experiences like this.

And then there was this amazing tile-mosaic octopus.

...and about a million other amazing, transformative and unbelievable wonders out there. 

Part 3 of 3 coming soon.