Petrified pictures

Thought I'd post my finished studies (isn't that a contradiction?) of my Petrified Forest residency, to give you some pretty pictures to look at while I work on my next blog post.

From the Blue Mesa Trail o/c

Drainage o/c

Flattop

Below the PDI

Painted Desert/Petrified Forest Video

Lately I've been blitzed by the bio,  (the 2012 Bioblitz Art Team), but I've packed up my tent and am back to camping in coffee shops, so promise to update this blog soon. In the meantime, John has published a great video of our Petrified Forest trip!

Painted Desert Trip from John DeVault on Vimeo.

They don't make them like they used to — the Blaisdell 623-T

 

I have lots to blog about, upcoming shows, the 2012 Bioblitz, my Petrified Forest residency, etc., etc.  But tonight I am just obsessed with this pencil. It was part of the "inheritance" I was lucky to receive from the estate of Louise Marianetti. The materials she used were not only cool in their vintage-ness, but of the highest quality. She respected and demanded a lot of her tools and her work was of a quality which made them shine. 

Among the many pencils, pens and brushes I was given were two of these Blaisdell 623-T hard charcoal pencils. They put any other charcoal pencils you can buy to shame. Smooth, rich, even, hard without being scratchy — a pleasure to use, and now I'm spoiled. I want to use it, but I don't want to use it up! I need more. So I did what anyone with a quest does these days,  I googled it. And all I came up with was someone's post from 2006 beginning "I would like to note that I am willing to pay outlandish prices for the aquisition of Blaisdell Charcoal Pencil Hard 634T model charcoal pencils."

So it was confirmed. This pencil is special. If anyone should happen to know where to get more, I'd be interested, though not sure how "outlandish" a price I could afford. And if anyone thinks they have a competitor, let me know, I'll give it a shot!

Week one, Petrified Forest Journal

Week one of my Petrified Forest Journal is finally completed, read all about it!
http://hodge-petrifiedforestjournal.blogspot.com/

Week two, Petrifed Forest

My home in the Petrified Forest NP, across from the Painted Desert Inn

 

Last week was one for exploring—long hikes and long drives. This week will be one for processing—short hikes, long days at the easel and chasing lizards out of the house. And catching up on my Petrified Forest Journal. Check the tab above for updates.

First Cup of Coffee - PEFO

 

This is my first cup of coffee in the Petrified Forest National Park. In my hurry to buy groceries and make it to the park before the rangers retired to their housing units I grabbed a bag of Whole Bean Coffee.  As much as I was hoping to find a coffee maker in the little adobe house the park has given me to live in, I could hardly have expected a coffee grinder. So I made like an Anasazi and found a good rock and smashed the hell out of the beans. Because no coffee was not an option. And I know, Anasazi didn't have ziplocs. But they would have loved them.

By the way, check out my Petrified Forest Journal in the tab above, I'm trying desperately to blog every day, but all this tromping over badlands and through deserts is exhausting!