Sally Ride Science

Black Dog Black dog running in white snow, Turns his head to cross the road. What does this black dog know? Winter slows; Life is pulse and rest.

Some photo work of a dear dear friend and fellow Wash U photo major (1990). These images are so good it freaks me out! Frankie Holt's Time & Vision: Vermont/Santa Monica Metro Station : "The Vermont/Santa Monica metro station in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Designed by Ellerbe Becket Architects. Looki..."

Creeping Charlie My goatskin gloves match the yellow tines of my rake (bar code still affixed), And reduce to two the number of blisters on my tender palms. I had intended to rake the entire yard, But can only manage that which is in the shade. As shadows grow long, I fall further short of my goal. Creeping Charlie must love the shade; There's so much more of it here. It does not, however, tolerate the herbicide applied unsolicited by my neighbor to the east, Along our shared fence line. All around, cicadas sing a siren song; In the distance, fire trucks theirs. Heart attack or house fire - Either way, I'm glad it's not mine. My neighbor to the west comments wryly on my efforts. I'm not quite sure how to take it. The evening breeze brings such sweet relief.

Watering, Phillips Ranch California, 1983, Joe Deal Remembering a dear teacher and mentor a year after his passing. Joe's work is on par with the greatest landscape photographers that come to mind. I was thrilled to be able to view an online exhibition of some of his work at the Robert Mann Gallery website. Along with David Hockney, I would site Joe Deal as one of my biggest artistic influences. Deal became dean of the Washington University School of Fine Arts my junior year. He was the crowning jewel and saving grace of my Wash U experience. He once described a large-print photographic portrait series I did my senior year (1989/90) as being like "maps of faces." Being that Deal was one of the pioneers in the New Topographic movement, I guess such an assessment comes as no surprise, but high praise, indeed.

This is one of my favorite songs of all times...it captures so much of what I feel about my life's journey up to this point. Everyday, I am a little less incomplete.

Iowa City Press-Citizen article, July 14, 2011   Why you should know him: Erick Wolfmeyer, 44, is a professional quilter living in Iowa City. The Quincy, Ill., native moved to Iowa City to expand his quilting practice after living out West  and has been here ever since. Wolfmeyer has made more than 70 quilts in his career, each of which takes about six months to create, he said. Wolfmeyer will be hosting a quilt design class at Home Ec. Workshop at noon July 23 and 24. I got started in quilting when: I was living in California and my then-boyfriend and I went on vacation to see friends in Sisters, Ore. They have a huge outdoor quilt show there. We were there a week after it happened, but it was still in the atmosphere. Our friends just had a baby and I always liked quilts, so I bought my first pattern and (made a baby quilt). After I finished that, I just went crazy. I sell my quilts: In Kalona at the annual Quilt Show & Sale and at a store in south Amana. But I'm happy to...

Original article (English) by Linzee Kull McCray : Erick Wolfmeyer thrives within limitations. Unlike most quilters, he has a modest stash of fabric and uses what he has before buying more. He lives in a small dwelling, just 565 square feet. He’s chosen work that pays his basic bills and little more. He has no television, no pets, no Internet connection at home. For him, quilts are a metaphor for this life. “I’m piecing it all together, with what I have to work with,” he says. Yet there is abundance in Erick’s life, too. His quilts are intensively pieced (Turning Point, which ultimately became two quilts, has 4,608 pieces) and his color choices are strong and vibrant. His creations stand in rich visual contrast to the simple weathered barn boards and picket fences against which he chooses to photograph them. And once finished, he doesn’t hold them close; all his quilts are either given as gifts or sold immediately. “They come from inside of me and when I’m done with one, I’m on to the...