The Carnival of Summer

Ahhhhhh, a picture of bliss, quiet and wonder. Here, my puppy Ginzee is absorbed in Alaska's summer beauty. The early morning sun gleams over the soaring mountains and warms our camp. The earth smells so good and the birds are chattering about. In this moment I love summer.

Did you just raise an eyebrow? Doesn't everyone love summer? Well, I happen to be the salmon swimming against the current.

Don't get me wrong, this photo is the ideal of what summer in Alaska is all about. But this photo doesn't show the chaos, the maniac, frenetic energy going on at sea level. Campers clog the roads. Drivers become drugged with sun and warmth and direct their cars as if they are singly on the road. Parking spots don't exist. Getting into your favorite breakfast, cafe and pizza joint is an impossibility. And the noise! This makes summer fall off my list of favorites.

It really becomes like a crazy carnival. People-watching becomes a 'train wreck' kind of experience. You watch people try to stuff their car into spaces that don't exist. The sidewalks are filled with hat-and-glove-bundled visitors while you stroll about in shorts. You see people carry trinkets that you didn't think anyone could POSSIBLY buy.

As an artist, summer is essential to my survival. I don't curse tourists or roll my eyes at their silly Alaska life questions. I know they support my livelihood. I remember being one myself a decade or so ago. I can smile and nod and laugh with them. Why? Soon the cold will descend, the flakes of frozen water will lilt down from the sky. The streets will clear, the cafes will offer my favorite tables, the noise will slowly dissipate. The pace slows, people invite you over for cozy dinners. Winter brings bliss, quiet and wonder.

THAT, is my favorite season.

Suitcase Art

It is the season of tourist. You can spot them a mile away. No, it's not the camera or the comfortable walking shoes. It's usually the woolly coats and hats. 65 degrees is summer here. An Alaskan will of course be in sandals and shorts soaking up the hot weather. The tourists will be huddled together sipping a hot drink.

Tourist season is good for artist. Whenever I travel I find the perfect piece of art to bring home. It's a great souvenir. The cheesy back scratcher seems like a great idea when your mind is free of worry and schedules. You get home and think, did I actually buy this and haul it all the way home? Not so with art. Usually you pull it out from your suitcase, carefully unwrap it and fall in love all over again.

Hence the term 'suitcase art'. It is a word used a lot this time of year. Art that can travel safely in a suitcase to it's final destination. I have been creating suitcase art and nothing else these days. It does get a bit tedious I have to admit. I create items that I think I would buy if I was seeking the perfect art item or art gift. But creating dozens of the same work wears on the creativity. For most artists these items will pay the bills for the next several months. I know I am grateful for that. Now the trick is to keep that creative fire burning while I create a beautiful Alaska scene.....again.

The Tourist are Coming!

That is the hope at least, that soon our streets will be filled with people gazing about at the wonder of Alaska. It makes me happy to live here when I see visitor's faces lit up as they take in their surroundings. Here I am enjoying a HUGE low tide we experienced yesterday. Ahhhh, Alaska.

As I mentioned in my last blog, sunny weather makes concentration somethings difficult. I worked feverishly to get new art into all my venues in April. First because I wanted nice full walls for the tourist but also because you can't help but have your production drop a bit in the summer. I hope to sit on G Street on the end of June during a new art sidewalk show the city is adding this year. (Keep your eyes on the blog to hear more.) And I am busy getting our Art on the Lake trip organized. That takes away from time at the easel.

Here is the good news/bad news of an artist. "GOOD NEWS, we sold three of your paintings and we need more ASAP!" Then comes... BAD NEWS I don't have time scheduled for that since I have these other projects in the works. It really is a good problem to have but a scheduling problem none the less. I am always warmed when someone feels my art was worth laying down money for and taking home. It's what my job is all about.

Time to drag the easel on the deck, ignore the phone and get some paint brushes flying!