Avoidance Therapy

For the past weeks I’ve been whining about not having been able to work in my studio. First it was my road trip to Seattle. That ate up two weeks. I needed a week to settle back into Palm Springs and the following week to prepare for Hawaii. Then 10 days in Hawaii. I even wrote about feeling guilty being in Hawaii and not working on my artwork! Pure procrastination.

We’ve been back from Hawaii for a week now. I still have not got my butt in gear to work. I’ve been telling everyone that I’m beginning a new piece. I haven’t actually DONE anything other than clear my work surface. Something always seems to come up to distract my attention. How convenient!

So, I was floating in the pool yesterday afternoon (because my studio just too damned hot to work in) thinking about all of this. What’s going on here, Jer? I played the whole day Saturday and Sunday when I could have been working in my studio. (I do have an incredibly efficient A/C unit in the studio. I just needed to crank down the temp from 86F.)

My planned piece is of woven newspaper. It will be approximately 4 feet X 6 feet, portrait orientation. It will be vertical stripes similar to “Serape Asado Uno” and “Serape Asado Dos” but with a boarder all around. It’s in my head and just needs to be woven. Should be easy.

And that’s my problem. It’s “easy.” I know exactly how to do it and I know what it should look like. I have all the problems figured out – as much as one can; you always run into a problem of some sort. There’s no challenge in making it.

In retrospect, I’m glad I spent time mulling over my ambivalence while floating in the swimming pool. I could have dived into this weaving instead of the pool. I don’t think I would have had a successful weaving. Now, however, I can do that weaving knowing it’s more of a technical exercise (at this point) rather than a technical challenge. If I begin & complete this work as planned, I can do that consciously knowing what I’m getting into. Or I can redesign the whole thing to be more challenging.

So, I’m now conflicted. Do I go ahead and create this weaving even though it’s not going to be a challenge? Or, do I re-design the whole thing?

It’s getting hot. I think I will float in the pool for a bit… and think.

Oh! I almost forgot the shameless self-promotion bit! Please take a minute to visit my website at www.JerryLHanson.com and take a stroll through my artwork. All of it is for sale (except for “Icarus” and “Winter Rain”). Please contact me if you want to buy one of my works or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website and you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you. You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com and you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157: you can call me. I won’t mind).

Thank you for listening,

Jerry L. Hanson

Aloha, Hawaii

I am writing this post on the evening of our last day in Hawaii, our fifth night. It was a relatively short trip. My physician husband was here for a medical conference and I tagged along for the fun. He worked. I had fun. Actually, he was in conference from 6:30 to noon every day: Sunday through Thursday & Friday morning. We had the afternoons free to explore Maui.

I’m an early riser. I was up every morning between 4:30 AM and 5 AM. Someone has to wake the roosters! If you’ve been to Hawaii, you will know there are a lot of chickens on the islands and they are stunningly beautiful birds! And fearless. So, after waking the roosters & the Doctor, I headed to the gym to work off the prior evening’s meal. I’m now up to 60 minutes on the treadmill walking in time to Lady Gaga and selected songs from Glee. The songs set my cadence and I zone out for the hour picturing myself in a Lady Gaga video. Show me your teeth!

In retrospect, it was a low-key, relaxing week. We went on a tour of Maui with Wade Holmes of No Ka Oil Adventrues; Nature-Based Excursions for te Alternative Traveler. Wade took us to sights seldom seen by tourists. He was a wonderful guide who knows much of the history and traditions of the islands. He’s also a botanist and is familiar with most of the island plants. We visited pristine waterfalls, swam in cool cataracts, laid in the sun on the rocks and hiked on ridge line trail. We came across no other visitors. We got a sense of what it must have been like living on these beautiful islands without all of us tourists. I loved every minute of it.

Our tour vehicle was a Wrangler Jeep uncovered to the elements. I enjoyed sitting in the back seat watching the scenery pass by, smelling the rain forest smells. The over-ripe guava crushed under foot as we hiked reminded me of the apple orchard of my childhood: same sickly sweet rotting apple smell.

We stopped at the Naka Lele blow hole to watch the water shoot 20 feet into the air from the blow hole. This was a popular tourist stop; there must have been 15 cars parked in the small lot with everyone scrambling down the rocks to the blow hole. So of course we joined them. Les decided to stay atop while Wade and I climbed & walked down the hill. It was an easy climb although rocky. But I enjoy that and it only took 15 – 20 minutes. We stayed long enough to take photos, stand between the sun and the plume to see rainbows and to get thoroughly drenched by the spray. It was refreshing. Then we hiked back up the hill.

Our last stop was in Lahaina we stopped in at Betty’s for Mango Margaritas and to watch the sunset. There was a huge Luau in progress right off the bar’s patio. We had viewing stand seats so we stayed for a second Mango Margarita and dinner. Watching the sunset, sipping Mango Margaritas and watching the hula dancers, I realized what a spectacular day we’d had.

This day of adventure set the mood for the rest of MY visit, I’m not sure about my Doctor. I think he was more caught up in the medical stuff, like that conference session on “Sex and Headaches”. Turns out that, most cases, sex actually helps elevate headaches. Hmmm THAT excuse doesn’t work anymore. (Just kidding, Doc!)

The week went rather quickly and was very relaxing and low key. I enjoyed kicking back by the pool reading & letting the sun recharge my batteries. The pool was wonderfully cool and I often fell asleep in my comfy lounge chair under that huge, industrial sized umbrella. It was bliss. My Doctor, more often than not, woke me when he joined me after his conference. I did manage to read 4 novels between naps..

So, what began as a guilt-ridden trip, turned into total down-time and six days of relaxation. Batteries are recharged. I’ll see you on the other Pacific Coast! Aloha!

Please take (another) minute to visit my website at www.JerryLHanson.com and take a stroll through my artwork. All of it is for sale (except for “Icarus” and “Winter Rain”). Please contact me if you want to buy one of my works or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website and you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you. You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com and you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157 (I have the phone with me while we’re traveling; you can call me. I won’t mind). Aloha!

Mahalo and thank you for listening,

Jerry L Hanson

Guilty Pleasures

I’ve not been very productive with my painting or weaving since early June. I’ve been preoccupied and busy. Ok, Ok, I’ve been slacking off. I went on a two week road trip to Seattle and had a house full of company the week I returned. Then it was the July 4^th weekend with its compliment of parties & more house guests. And martini’s with @TheDeeView & @Taxes007. And then the trip to Hawaii. And then, I just didn’t manage to get my butt in gear to paint or weave.

I think about it every day sitting in my studio working on the lap top. I think about it as I float blissfully in the pool. I think about it as I am cleaning up after yet another house full of guests. But I haven’t done it. And I’m feeling guilty! I enjoy telling people “I work every day in my studio.” I guess I shouldn’t be saying that!

My mind is occupied with thinking about the next piece. Perhaps I need to think some more about it. I know what I want to work on next. Perhaps I just need to take a break. Perhaps this is one of those lulls I alluded to in an earlier post. Perhaps.

I’m in Hawaii as I write this post. We arrived on Saturday morning and I’ll definitely NOT be getting any artwork done these next 10 days. I will be playing, snorkeling, and taking photographs of anything that catches my eye. I’ve scoped out the 6 swimming pools – avoid the children’s pool: too much chlorine (AKA urine) – the health club, the spa and I’ve figured out which of the bars seems liveliest. I’m ready to play!

Meanwhile my husband will be attending his doctor’s conference learning all sorts of esoteric stuff in sessions with titles such as “DM Risk Mitigation: It Ain’t All Sugar” and “What’s New in Hip Pain from A to FAI” and “Halitosis” and “Rheumavascugoutamosis“ (MSWord does not recognize nor have a spelling suggestion for Rheumavascugoutamosis) and my personal favorite, ”Sex and Headache.” THAT session sounds interesting. I WOULD skip the session on “Halitosis.”

So, while my Doctor is attending his conference, I’ve been feeling guilty about NOT doing my art. WAS…. What I realized the other day, lying by the pool is that feeling guilty is counter-productive. This downtime is an excellent opportunity to recharge my batteries; to clear my mind and observe the world with fresh eyes. What better place to do that than in Hawaii? I mean, Maui has many of the attributes I love about living in the desert: warmth, sun, interesting plants, hiking, mountains and not a huge amount of traffic. OK, there is traffic but nothing compared to Los Angeles or Seattle. There are significant differences too, such as rain, “real” trees, beaches, rain, ocean and all this with a riot of color.

I’m going to kick back, enjoy the magic of Hawaii and absorb as much of this “newness” as I can! When we return to Palm Springs, I’ll be ready to dive into my artwork with a fresh point of view and a relaxed body & mind. The most pressing thing on my mind right now is wanting to know what the hell Rheumavascugoutamosis is! Oh, never mind! Where did I leave my Mai Tai?

Please take a minute to visit my website at www.JerryLHanson.com and take a stroll through my artwork. All of it is for sale (except for “Icarus” and “Winter Rain”). Please contact me if you want to buy one of my works or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website and you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you. You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com and you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157 (I have the phone with me in Hawaii: you can call me. I won’t mind). Aloha!

Mahalo and thank you for listening,

Jerry L Hanson

Ehren Tool - Occupation

A highlight of my recent road trip to Seattle was a visit to the Portland Museum of Contemporary Craft. My friend Sari and I happened on the Museum as we were exploring art galleries in the Pearl District. Ehren Tool, a veteran of the First Gulf War was the artist in residence. Ehren is a potter. He used bags of porcelain clay to build a bunker with a potter’s wheel inside. Ehren’s bunker was occupied for the duration of his residence by, in addition to himself, students, Portland-area potters, and veterans or survivors of war. They used this clay to throw cups on the potter’s wheel.

At the time of my visit, Ehren Tool was the sole occupant of the “bunker.” Scattered about the room which was bordered on two sides by huge windows on the street, were hundreds of mugs - cups without handles. I was amazed at the number! The window sills were several feet deep and filled with mugs. Each one was decorated differently. There were perhaps 6 of us looking at the mugs with 7 or 8 others outside looking through the window. One woman was holding a mug examining it carefully. She commented to her friend, “I really like this one!” Ehren, standing in his bunker said to her, “If you like it, you can have it.”

She looked at him with confusion saying, “They’re for sale?” He said, “No. If you want it you can have it.” She asked, “How much are they.” Ehren smiled at her and repeated, “If you want it, you can have it. They’re not for sale. I’m giving them away.”

OK, now I’m interested! What’s going on here? He’s making these incredible mugs and giving them away? What a novel idea! I had to talk to this guy. I introduced myself as an artist from Southern California and a veteran. Ehren Tool is a big guy. He must be 6 ft 4 in and is a bear of a man – built like a linebacker with a quiet, gentle voice and a very dry sense of humor. He’s making the mugs to give away.in an act of generosity and accord.

As we were talking, he overheard someone comment about the images on a mug. The individual’s tone of voice sounded as if she didn’t’ like what she saw but I didn’t hear her exact comment. Ehren said gently & quietly. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend you. It’s just my point of view.” It took me and the lady by surprise and SHE apologized for her comment!

As we talked, Ehren used laser-cut wood blocks to press various images into the side of the wet, unfired porcelain cups. He had hundreds of small laser-cut molds to choose from. Some were images, some were quotes or words. All were related to war: gas masks, M-16 rifles, WWII style bombs, soldiers in uniform, cavalry horses with rider. There were quotes from George W. Bush, Nero and other political figures from history: all related to war. Taken alone they were innocent. Combined with other images, they were sometimes disturbing.

Over the course of Ehren’s residency at the Museum of Contemporary Craft, he will have given away over 10,000 mugs. He told us he that ceramic is one art form that will last for thousands of years and he hopes that just one of his cups will still be around 10,000 years from now. That is a daunting thought!

I asked him if I could have a mug. He laughed and told me, “You need to spend some time with your cup. Fill it with whiskey and drink it slowly so you can get to know it. I want it to grow on you.”

I used it for my martini that evening. I’m spending time with Ehren’s cup. Memories are made of this.

I don’t have any mugs to give away nor do I anticipate my art will survive 10,000 years. It is for sale, however. You can see all of my artwork available for purchase on my website at www.JerryLHanson.com If you want more information on any of my artwork or to make a purchase, you can contact me by replying to this blog, e-mail me at JerryL@JerryLHanson.com or telephone my studio at 760.992.3157. And, as always, I thank you for listening!

Jerry L. Hanson

The Road Trip - Seattle

The view from Magnolia

In my last post I talked about getting ready for my road trip to Seattle. The Road Trip continues!

I made it to Portland on day two of my trip after spending a quiet, cool evening in the shadows of Mt. Shasta. It was warm and sunny when I arrived in Portland. I arrived on what turned out to be the warmest day of the year thus far in Portland. It did not stay warm nor sunny for long. Portland does have a reputation to uphold, after all!

I spent three leisurely, fun filled days visiting with my dear friend, Sari. We caught up on all our families news and Sari showed me around Portland in the pouring rain. Fortunately, one of Sari's sons had left a rain slicker which fit me. I came totally unprepared for the weather.

On Thursday, I'm off for Seattle

I’ll spend a few days in Seattle with Garret & John. They totally remodeled their home which should be completed the week I arrive. I’ve received weekly reports on the progress over these past 6 months. Garret & John are artists friends in Seattle with whom we have virtual cocktails every Monday evening.

Garret is coming with me on the return trip. Garret and I will be stopping for a couple of days in Portland to visit HIS dear friend who is also an artist. Three artists visiting: what WILL we have to talk about? I’ve heard so much about Emily from Garret and am excited to finally meet this incredible artist. We plan to drive along the coast back to Southern CA stopping in Mendocino, Monterey, San Simeon (Hearst Castle) and Montecito & Santa Barbara.

I’m looking forward to this trip for several reasons. In addition to visiting good friends, I love the California coast. It is a stunning drive along the coast on Hwy 1 and Hwy 101. I’ve not driven along the coast north of Eureka, CA so this will be a new experience. If it is anything like the Central California Coast, it will be well worth it.

Garret has driven from Seattle to Palm Springs on many occasions but never along the coast. It’s a new experience for both of us. Garret is an artist so I’m sure we’ll visit many galleries along the way. I’m packing several hundred business cards for this trip and hope to run out along the way home.

Another reason I’m excited about this trip is for the change of scenery. Whenever we travel, I’m energized by the change in environment. I love the desert. I love to get out of the desert landscape once in a while. There’s “new” things to see, like green. There are green colors you just don’t see in the desert: forests of green in all conceivable tones and hues of green.

The flora of the Pacific Northwest is awesome. I’m looking forward to driving through the Avenue of Giants. The towering conifers of Northern California never cease to fill me with awe and wonder. These are second growth forests. I cannot image what they must have looked like before we cut them down with wild abandon!

Traveling to a different climate reminds me that there’s a whole world of color and atmosphere totally unlike the desert. You can feel the damp in the air. You can see the damp in the air. Oh, wait! That’s rain! I enjoy experiencing rain on occasion, just not quite as often as those in the Pacific Northwest. I particularly enjoy leaving rainy climates.

I wouldn’t be comfortable living along the Central California Coast permanently. It’s far too cold for me. But it is nice to visit for the change of pace; the change of scenery; the change of light.

I’m looking forward to how the light changes as I head North. The vistas of Southern California are grand; you can see for miles. The mountains are rugged and they LOOK rugged without blankets of forests to soften the terrain. The interplay of sunlight on the mountains changes dramatically. I love to watch it. I’m taking the inland route north which will be new for me. It must be a different experience than the coastal drive and I’m looking forward to new discoveries.

While I’m traveling, you can still check out my website: www.JerryLHanson.com to see what artwork is available for purchase. Please contact me if you want to buy one of my works or if you have any questions about my work or specific piece. My contact information is on my website and you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you. You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com and you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3152.

Thank you for listening

Jerry L Hanson

The Road Trip - He's Off!

Scene along US99 near Tehachapi, CA

I'm leaving on a road trip. I've not been on a road trip for quite some time and I’m looking forward to it. We did drive from Palm Springs to Tucson, AZ this past May but it was a half day drive each way. I don’t think that counts as a road trip. THIS is a real road trip: driving from Palm Springs to Seattle, WA by way or Portland, OR. Then back to Palm Springs along the Washington, Oregon & California coast lines with tourist stops along the way

Normally, I would fly to Seattle, where our friends live. I’m sure a round trip flight would cost less than the gas for my truck; however, I’m delivering a large framed woven newspaper piece to Seattle. The shipping cost is crazy expensive! So, I’m driving it there. Garret, my Seattle friend is then going to drive back with me and then fly back to Seattle.

I’m making a two day, 1,082 mile dash to Portland, Oregon where I’ll spend a couple of days with my dear friend, Sari. I met Sari on her wedding day shortly after my husband & I got together. We’ve been friends for over 30 years. She’s been through two husbands and raised three children. I’m still with my first husband, no children. Sari always says she’d marry me if she could turn me. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with Sari: we don’t visit often enough. And I’m not turning any day soon.

Then it’s on to Seattle to deliver the artwork.

I’ll be driving alone to Seattle. I’ve not driven for long stretches of time alone for quite a few years. I don’t think those four hour Los Angeles commutes to/from work count. I last drove alone to Tucson nearly 15 years ago. I look forward to stopping along the way to take photos whenever I please. I’ll stop when I’m tired and trust Tom Bodett has left the light on.

While I’m away, you can still check out my website: www.JerryLHanson.com to see what artwork I have available. Please contact me if you have any questions about my work or a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you. You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3152.

Thank you for listening

Jerry L Hanson

The Pool Party

"Icarus"

In my last post, I talked about the Memorial Day weekend being the last fling of the Palm Springs season. It is usually one of the last great outdoor weekends before the desert really heats up. The ambient temperature of our pool is generally around 90 degrees this time of year. This year, it’s been cooler than usual. We had two days above 100 degrees so far this year. Last year, there were about 21. We heated the pool to 87 degrees. Yes, I am a cold wimp.

There are generally at least three pool parties we’re invited to on Memorial Day weekend. And we always have one on the Sunday of this weekend. Jim and Josh arrived along with 40 other of our friends. The pool was 87 degrees and the margaritas were good. Josh was holding court in one corner of the pool telling his incredibly convoluted and funny stories. Jim pulled me aside, “let’s talk.”

I’m an introvert. My first thought was “Oh, God! What have I done?!?”

Jim wanted to talk about Josh’s birthday which was a few days away. And he wanted to look at my new work. Into the studio we went. We spent a bit of time discussing the paintings. He then told me he wanted to purchase one of my paintings as a birthday present for Josh.

Yes! There is a God!

Jim wanted Josh’s reaction to my current work before deciding on the “one.” Back into the water we went. About an hour later, Jim, all casual like, mentioned to Josh that he’d peeked at my new work and though Josh would like to see them. Back to the studio!

Josh has visceral reactions to abstract art. He can verbalize specifically how a particular painting makes him feel and why. He’s drawn to bright colors and pattern. Josh is a talker, remember. He had something, OK LOTS to say about each piece. It was gratifying to know he liked my work. The introvert in me is thinking, “Who in hell’s work is he talking about?” And I had a great time. I must have been grinning like the Chestershire Cat .

When Josh declared the darkest, moodiest painting to be his absolute favorite and the bright, sunny “Icarus” to be a close second, Jim and I were shocked. He loved the dark, moody painting. “It makes me think and most abstract paintings just make me feel: This painting changes every time I look at it. I like that.” Good man! I left them alone so they could talk. And, I had been neglecting our other 38 guests for a while.

Back into the pool. Jim and Josh returned to the pool party a bit later.

Jim pulled me aside again. I was sure he was going to say he would have to pass on Josh’s birthday present idea. That pesky introvert head talk again. What Jim said was, “I want to buy two paintings. Is that OK?”

Is that OK? Damn straight! (Sorry, poor choice of words…) Of course it is OK!

For some reason, he always purchases artwork in pairs. I’m not sure why but I wasn’t about to suggest he abandon that tradition now!

Jim told me which two he wanted. Assured him he could definitely have those two. I would put his name on them. Jim was really excited about buying these two paintings and kept telling me “Don’t tell Josh. He doesn’t know.”

Jim & Josh stopped by on their way home Monday to pick up the two canvases. Josh’s birthday was the next day and he seemed genuinely please with Jim’s present to him. I asked Josh if he was surprised with Jim’s gift. “I may be a Scott, but I’m not a fool! Of course I figured it out! And I love ‘em!”

I am pleased too! I received a simple two line note: “I’ve hung both pieces and they are beautiful! Please come and see them any time you like.” You know I will, Jim & Josh.

These two paintings are no longer available. See what happens when you delay? However, you can see all my artwork available for purchase (excluding “Icarus” & “Winter Rain”) on my website at www.JerryLHanson.com . If you want more information on any of my artwork or to make a purchase, you can contact me by replying to this blog, e-mail me at JerryL@JerryLHanson.com (best option) or telephone my studio at 760.992.3157.

Thank you for listening!

Jerry L. Hanson