About
As a child, playing in my yard and wandering around my suburban, D.C. neighborhood, I was thrilled to encounter any small source of wonder, that I found in the scarce “wildlife”spaces. Yet, around the city and the tables, of the global lives of my friends, co-workers and neighbors, did I discover more intrigue, by the tales and fables, of their home and work places. Blessed were we, with free access to world-renowned art galleries, museums, theaters, restaurants, botanical gardens, geopolitical landmarks and historical sites. The natural world “beyond the beltway”, yet, not far from it, beholds a variety of beautific, spectacular topography and all the unique creatures of the plant and animal kingdoms each place encompasses. It is no surprise that all this and more, plus my world-wide muse and bliss, has had an illuminated impact on my “Forever Young” wonder of what splendors await to be discovered yonder.
Later on, I pined to live by the sea, with more open space to swim and roam free and commute to work in the BW (Baltimore/Washington/Annapolis) cities and towns, from various, not so far beach communities. I found this relief by the beautiful and enchanted estuaries and bays that flow into Mystic Chesapeake and Grand Atlantic Sea.
On random day trips, you may find me excited as can be, exploring the lands and shores by the sea. The photo I took above exemplifies what I mean by wondering what surprises awaits beyond the bend. This particular morning at sunrise, we headed out on a small boat from Wachapreague, Virginia. My spirit surged as we ventured through the beautiful, barrier islands and were greeted by flocks of diverse shorebirds, like gulls, ducks, eagles and sea hawks, little and great herons and egrets. These magnificent, stoic seabirds were juxtaposed by the sweet, cheerful cheeps, alerting attention to the swift, swallows and martins and their ski dancing tempo beats. As we wove through the wind-wisped grasses of the salt-marshed, we then came upon this marooned vessel picture above. I questioned if it was pirates, storms, or engine failure, that caused the boat to be abandoned. Sprinkled on the white sandy beach, were sun-bleached sand dollars, sea glass and shells (like these). Their natural sculpture and aesthetic qualities, also intrigued me.
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While I highly appreciate all other places I lived, worked and visited by the sea, it is no surprise that one at the top of the list, was living among the sweeping, prehistoric Miocene Epoch Cliffs (formed 23 to 5 million years ago) in Calvert County, Maryland. Filled with mystery, due to its history and nearby land use and beauty, The Cliffs, speckled with wildflowers are abundant with magnificent flora and fauna. A few rare ancient hardwood trees mightily standing amidst the new woodlands that conceal the country’s winding first road. At one of the main new road’s end, are sandy beaches endowed with gifts of fossilized creatures. Mixed in with these shells, sharks teeth, smooth, round quartz and petrified driftwood, are artifacts, such as beach glass and shards of porcelain and old ceramic pottery. Again, the history and people I became acquainted with, captivated me more than this.
Still, it was here, that the desire to bezel my limited personal treasures and relics to relish, embellish and to give as presents. To learn this, I traveled just to outside Washington, D.C. and took basic metal smithing from the Gold Smithing Institute. Soon after, I took various long-distance courses from an amazing artist and Professor in California, including a technique called “Fusing”. This ancient method forges and shapes pure gold and fine (.999) silver by using little more than hand tools, a brick, citric acid (powdered lemonade) and the flame from simple, butane torch.
I continued to take college level and one-on-one instruction, like one with Sue Stockman on mosaic making and Westside Studio Owner, Professor and friend, Kathleen Carson, on drawing and fundamentals of art. Other courses in writing, art history, photography, studio art followed. With so much to learn and skill to develop, I still self-teach and learn about many diverse subjects from many gracious and talented sources.
Now I live on Delmarva’s beautiful Eastern Shore, encompassed by the many quaint towns filled with specialty boutiques, where you can eat the best subs and pizza, or dine on the finest cuisine. Then you can enjoy the talents of local favs and world-class live music, parades and festivals, or stroll on the boardwalks and behold, the oceanfront scenes. The list of attractions never ends, from wacky play-lands, hidden cultural gems, to fresh, unique farms and markets and world renowned parks, like my favorite legendary Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. Trotting along the side of the roads, hidden within the upland wooded forests, upon the sloping dunes, or in the refreshing sea, hopefully you will respect and always be mystified and honored to see, the wild ponies running free.
The best of it all, is to bask in the sun and fish, clam, boat and swim in the waterways and Grand Atlantic Sea. Then, seek shade and enjoy the sea breeze on the trees and grill out and picnic with family and the generous, caring locals and visitors, where ever they may be. The simple, yet abundant lifestyle, compels me to create and offer some of my capricious, amateur art that the “Forever Young” and “Flow” state of it brings to my heart. Equally to this, is my capricious wish to reveal where some of my encounters with the revitalizing bliss and beauty I have discovered or (wish to someday). I hope the mentions illuminate the wondrous skills, works and places of locals and to enhance the lives and imaginations of others.
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Please be assured that I do my best to conserve and source my materials on a limited, fair-trade and eco-friendly basis. This comes natural to me. Otherwise, I would not be happy with the outcome of my glee.
Also, I am grateful that in my own little way, this may help to support or bring notice, to the various causes that are important to me.
Please visit our journal where we contribute what we can of the vast amount of beautiful, wild and wonderful resources, things and excursions we have been so blessed by, or hope to come by ourselves someday!
