This portrait was taken by my eldest grandson at the bowling alley (candlepin) in Ellsworth. My partner Jennifer and I love to bowl with our grandsons, and they have steadily improved over the past few years.

I was walking back to the benches after my frame, and Jackson grabbed my phone, set it to black and white portrait, and snapped this image. While not particularly clear, it does have the movement, motion, and excitement after accomplishing a spare on a frame.

I am always looking forward to spending time with those boys.

Coffee Top

 I am just getting back to using this blog site, and I still find that there is so much material around all of us that becomes virtual as soon as we, as artists, decide to commit it to memory. These simple little bubbles on the top of a fresh cup of coffee form a delicate and satisfying surface on many different levels. From the multifaceted and varied distorted reflections to the warmth and texture of the overall effect, there are so many places in this visual for the eye to rest. It's simply satisfying to me.

VIRTUAL SHADOWS

So the shadow seems to know in this case just what is going on with the manipulation of itself, whether a literal or virtual reality.

COVID/CORONA HALLOWEEN

 

"Corona Halloween". 2020

This Corona Virus has had many of us in a different kind of place, and looking for "normality", not only in terms of being able to do the things we always have, but in terms of celebrations and group activities led me to this image.

I knew what I wanted from this at the start with the scrap plastic filler fabric and the ability to create holes in the material with a simple stove lighter. I envisioned a face, although not especially my own, and I thought that I could make it a little "scary" with some help from PhotoShop. I used three layers, two of the fabric and one a "selfie" of me without my glasses.

After trying numerous versions, I came up with this one as the best because I felt it had the most convincing mixture of texture and form along with the "fitting" of the layers together to seem truly blended into a believable image.

VIRTUAL LOBSTER VIRUS

 I have been thinking a lot lately about how long it has been since I've had a lobster, and I have to admit I sort of miss them. I could probably eat three or four of them right now without even breaking a sweat. I would just line them up in my stomach and create all sorts of room, or maybe just wait five or ten minutes between each one to let it "break down" a little bit. Right now they are only virtual to me, and I wonder if I am coming down with something "lobstrocity" like.

FACEFLOW

Simply put, a composite from a rainy day and my journal. Things crawling around in my mind, literally!

MY VIRTUAL WORKSPACE

My "online" workspace can be so confusing at times, and I thought I was "cool" when I discovered that I could be in several places at once through multiple Google Meets. Yesterday I had a "double double" where I was in two meetings at the same time... wait for it... twice! How could I possibly be any more efficient than that, right? Today, during the last class of the school year (Block D) I ended up being in three meets at the same time. Now, I know colleagues have used "breakout" rooms to access students and get work done in groups, and I have a new appreciation for navigating this part of the "virtual teaching" world. We will need to talk and compare notes!

The image below is my culminating vision of the "blocks" (apply metaphor as needed) of time, of student progress, of many aspects of teaching and learning in the virtual environment. I have enjoyed this, it has made me see what is truly possible through the application of technology, and given me new insight for my teaching process.