idyllwild: coming home

It's been quiet around here, I know. The truth is, after nearly a decade of blogging over on Wordpress, I've found myself dragging my feet here, reluctant to fully inhabit this new space. Perhaps it's an aversion to change on my part or maybe it's simply that I feel a little too exposed (this being my own domain and all). Whatever the reason for my slow start, I'm here now. 

I'm an inveterate goal setter and list maker, and a July baby, so I guess it makes sense that I'm also very big on checking in with myself this time each year. Happily, 2017 has been pretty good for me so far, both productive and eventful.

Among the highlights? I was invited to be a part of Idyllwild: Coming Home, a special group exhibit celebrating Middle Ridge Winery and Tasting Gallery's one-year anniversary in our rustic mountain community.

It was the first time I've taken on a project of this kind, shooting more or less "on assignment" and with a few guidelines. I'll admit this worried me a little at first mostly because I've become obsessed with photo impressionism these past several months, working almost exclusively with slow-shutter speed and intentional camera movement. I was, at least initially, slightly uneasy about making such an abrupt return to traditional nature photography. 

As it turned out, my macro lens and I were able to pick up where we left off and, after more than six years here on the mountain, my eye was once again attuned to the beautiful, if subtle, details I had almost begun to take for granted.

As for the show itself, it's been a treat to see our wilderness and wildlife through the eyes of so many talented local artists. From oil paintings and pen-and-ink drawings to sculpture, ceramics, wearable art, and photography, Idyllwild: Coming Home is an eclectic tribute to a remarkable place.

If you're in Southern California, you may already be aware that Idyllwild makes for a great weekend getaway or day trip. So come on up for the art and stay for the wine (or vice versa, Middle Ridge offers a wonderful selection of both). The show remains up through Labor Day.

Middle Ridge Winery & Tasting Gallery 54301 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild, CA 92549  Closed Tuesdays. Call for hours: 951-659-9000.

in search of spring

I spent the first day of spring gallivanting around the desert in search of wildflowers (we're in the midst of a "superbloom" here in Southern California due to the surprisingly-wet winter we've had), and put nearly 300 miles on my car in the process. 

I thought, naively, that if I arrived in the desert early enough (I left my house at 5:30 a.m. which, if you know me, is pretty much unheard of regardless of the photo op), I’d be able to avoid the crowds. As it turns out, I greatly underestimated my fellow petal peepers and, faced almost immediately upon my arrival with traffic and lines, took off in search of some peace and quiet at the largely-abandoned Salton Sea.

All that being said, I did manage a few impressionistic wildflower shots before abandoning my quest. This one's my favorite.