Posts Tagged ‘climbing’

Nature Doesn’t Hurry

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Heads up on two designs of mine over at PrAna-

One is based on my sculpture work, where nature is overtaking the mechanical and structured world-

Photo by Brad Smith

The second is inspired by the Lao Tzu poem-

Nature Doesn’t Hurry

Yet

All is Accomplished

This particular tree drawing inspired a series of paintings in which the tree roots adapt and thrive showing the layers of earth beneath, as the roots wind through tires, steel pipes, debris, and waste.

Both drawings are ink on paper and the originals are available.

Mason Birch Lives! (in Seattle)

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Mason Birch, the character whose fictional story I wrote, appeared in Alpinist 25, their Silver Issue; and was simultaneously my first piece highlighted on the cover, as well as the last issue before the magazine succumbed to current economic circumstances. Goes to show- never put me on the cover of your magazine!
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(above) Mason Birch Sketch

Mason was very well received, however; and was the product of much writing, observation, and reflection on my own life, and the lives of those around me. I put a lot of effort, soul, and thought into the few words chosen to tell his story. Kudos to Editor Beckwith and staff for pushing the story into the public eye. It’s certainly…different. The week before the investors abandoned ship, Alpinist had sent me mockups for the first Mason Birch t-shirts, which until further notice is now… a dead project. Who knows, maybe I’ll print some here at the studio.

Recently, an inspired fella named “Jay” from Seattle, sent an email requesting permission to put Mason onto his body permanently. Of course!
Here it is in progress.

Thanks Jay! Looking forward to the final piece.

Here’s to Mason’s passion, conviction, and obsession living BOTH inside and out.
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Patagonia-Bound

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

Some of you may know I am headed down south to Argentina- to climb in Patagonia in a few weeks.

I have been training fervently, and imagining the possibilities… but the truth is I really don’t know what to expect.
I don’t even really have a committed partner yet. As for what I hope to climb- at this point it is ANYTHING! Anything dry, anything beautiful, anything inspiring to me. The dream is Fitz Roy… but I don’t plan to hold too strong of a grip on this, being my first trip. Sometimes when I am open to anything happening, the more spontaneous and adventurous the results are.

This last weekend, I hit the Wichita Wildlife Refuge in southern Oklahoma for a great session of granite crack climbing with the crew from Oklahoma City. I love the beautiful, lichen-covered rock and golden plains down there. I have recently seen an influence from my visits south in my tree paintings. Oftentimes you see a lone, pale Juniper tree accenting a horizon of golden prarie grasses with nothing but blue sky all around. These lone trees are so inspiring to me— symbolically testifying to endurance, strength, as well as the immense beauty and quality found in solitude.

The Bison(not “buffalo”, I asked) roam free on the refuge and may appear randomly, alone or in herds, as you are hiking in. Sadly, I did not see any in the back-country on this trip as I usually do.
Here are some shots taken by my good friend Ben Rodda of me training on Crab Eyes Dome. The routes are “Power Series”, a fantastic 5.10 flared handcrack, and “Moby Dick” a steep 5.12b face climb. Ben and his talented wife Kym just moved their photography business from Evergreen Colorado, to Fayetteville, Arkansas.

roddaphotography.com

roddaphotgraphy.com

Party Party

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

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Thanks to all who came from near and far for my pre-release book party and show opening. There were friends who showed from Oklahoma, Omaha, Topeka, Branson, and Arkansas! We ended up partying all weekend.

Thanks to Roger Strong and Jeff Larison for the sweet tunes on the upright bass and Dobro. Thanks to GouldEvans for the hosting and wine+desserts! Thanks to Kristen for manning the register. Thanks to all who bought books and those lucky devils who bought paintings.

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I hope you enjoy the originals located inside each box.