Refueling

No matter what anyone might say about it, art is not created in a vacuum. My art is heavily influenced by my surroundings, and I also need to take time away from my art every now and then to refuel that creative engine. I draw inspiration from books, music, other artists, and travel. The reason you haven't heard much from me lately is because I have been trying to fill up my tank. Hopefully, I will have more to give you once my imagination tank is full.

Last week, we loaded the dog into the VW camper van and went camping with some friends in the Mohave National Preserve. It is a fairly short drive from our home in Joshua Tree. I have driven past the area so many times, and never did I imagine there was such beauty tucked away behind those mountains! Wow. It is now probably getting too hot to do much more camping in this area, but when the weather cools down again in the fall, I would recommend giving this area a good exploring. I hope to go back!

Here is just a small sampling of what we saw:

I also had the good fortune to see an exhibition of Richard Deibenkorn's Ocean Park Series at the Orange County Museum of Art. The exhibition is up until the 27th of May. If you have a chance to see it, I highly recommend it. There is nothing that can compare to seeing original works of art in person. This was the first time I had ever seen one of those paintings in person, and I will say that the experience was powerful. I am still absorbing those paintings and the impression they left on me will not fade anytime soon.

Off the Beaten Path

Maybe you thought Vegas was nothing but a city of casinos and strippers.  Pawn shops.  Lights.  Buffets.  It is all of those things, but there is much more to this sleazy city than meets the eye.  One of the best attractions for those who want something different is the Red Rock Canyon.  A short drive from the city of Las Vegas, this National Conservation Area is well worth the $5 daily entry fee.  There is a brand new visitor's center.  You can enjoy this beautiful area without even leaving the comfort of your car, but plenty of hiking and climbing trails are available for the adventurous.  We didn't give ourselves nearly enough time to explore this desert wonderland.   I am certain we will be back.

In order to get to Las Vegas from Joshua Tree, one will drive through the Mohave National Preserve.  I really love this drive.  I always feel a bit like those suction-cup "Garfield" cats, looking out the window when I am lucky enough to be the passenger on these trips.  I just drool out the window, looking at the plethora of Joshua Trees, sand dunes, vintage train depots, and other desert visions.   On our way home, we even spotted a lone coyote, crossing the road in front of us.