By: Tara Chang,
on 3/29/2010
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/27/2010
So many cool, water-weathered and gnarly roots...
Impressive cliff faces along the Sound - complete with a bald eagle coasting on the air currents.
Periwinkles sprinkled liberally every inch of the beach that is under water at some point. Mosses that even grow in briney water. The bones of old water-worn docks that resemble nothing short of dinosaur vertebrae.
And possibly my favorite part - the 'still life' arrangements one could find at low tide - assembled by accommodating mussels. Consisting of mussels, driftwood, pebbles, whelks (and whelk eggs!) and oyster shells. Each one is surprisingly more beautiful than the last and so artfully constructed. Even as artists - it's tough to compete with Mother Nature! (and if you want to see more amazing artful nature, see this post on the seastars that were visible at low tide over on our POBL blog).
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/27/2010
We had a sampling of raw and sprouted uber-healthy things to eat...
(I even brought my juicer and we juiced all kinds of delicious concoctions daily!)
The dinners were amazing! Both tasty -
- and beautifully (can I say, artfully?) arranged and presented.
Topped off with birthday-cake goodness!
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/24/2010
We had a lovely space to 'work' in... whatever form that took...
There was research and sketching...
...quilting (aren't these batiks scrumptious?)...
...painting on silk....
...reading about, talking about and just thinking about art...
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/21/2010
...had a lovely weekend. Lots of resting and sky watching and walks along the beach....
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/18/2010
My project has ended just in time for my critique group's biennial art-retreat. We'll be heading off to a place on the water for a long weekend of good food, great company and intense creating. Will report more upon our return.
By: Tara Chang,
on 10/8/2009
The covers are essentially done, and are currently being pressed between thick masonite with a stack of heavy heavy art books on top. (I've already seen a few tweaks that need to happen before actually shipping them - but they are small). Hooray.
Now I have to finish up packing for our annual fall retreat (you can see a sample report from a previous one here). Long weekend, phone/computer/TV/internet-less up in the mountain with nothing to do but make fabulous food and fabulous art.
Am SO looking forward to the break and change of pace from the forever-covers!
Will report more on my return.
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/13/2009
Our spring retreat is supposed to be a little more low-key than our fall one - it's a bit shorter, and we try to be much less ambitious with the food... Except for the amazing High Tea put together by the amazing POBLite, Sarah -
Can I say - too much yum, and too much fun? 
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/13/2009
By: Tara Chang,
on 3/10/2009
-from a lovely, relaxing, delicious, gorgeous, creative, productive, bonding, hard-working, chick-flick of a long retreat week-end!
More details to follow later. Now, to bed.
By: Tara Chang,
on 9/17/2008
This year, it was the resident chipmunks. Or in this case, more accurately, the somewhat elusive golden mantled ground squirrels.
They've been a bit indulged with their very own fancy hidey-hole in the cabin steps, which they utilize thoroughly.
Their favorite thing is peanuts - and they will absolutely stuff their cheeks full. But they will settle for salad ingredients.
It was absolutely gorgeous all weekend, so we ate many afternoon meals outdoors. The ground squirrels kept us company. Up to four or more at a time.
They are quite fearless, and would climb a lap or shoulder in search of more treats.
And were not adverse to outright 'begging' for more.
- even when it appeared that any *more* and their cheeks might explode!
They would also happily feed off your fork or plate. And occasionally mistake a finger for a peanut.
Gudrun constructed one out of Sculpy. 'Thought the one posing with it hilarious. :-)
By: Tara Chang,
on 9/15/2008
hand tamed (and very cheeky!) ground squirrels,
forests, food,
and fairy houses...Much artwork was also accomplished.
More to follow...
Live starfish like that look creepy.
Elena