STREET ART

 

 

 

Flagstaff Portal/Sean Griffin

 

Back when I looked on-line at ideas for a Summer Bucket List, visiting a museum came up regularly.  Flagstaff doesn't have an Art Museum per se, but it does have a crazy-active art scene.  Some of it is for sale in the plethora of art galleries.  My choice was to explore Public Art.  Coordinated by the Beautification and and Public Art Commission at the City of Flagstaff, I only knew there was an abundance of it, free for the looking.  Some of it I've driven by regularly without ever stopping to enjoy it for its own qualities.  It includes murals, mosaics, three-dimensional and bas-relief.  And more!  The Visitor Center has various maps, and I picked up the Flagstaff Public Art Map that includes a map and description of 119 pieces. 

119 pieces being too big of a bite, I decided to start with a 1.5 mile walking tour of 26 of the pieces in the downtown-ish area, using a separate map I printed from on-line. I had Ron drop me off on his way to do some errands, and pick me up when he was finished in a couple hours.  I had no idea how long it would take.  Holy smokes, I've got some fun cut out for me!  In 2.5 hours I looked at 14 of the pieces, plus three that weren't listed and one that is brand-new.  Already I can tell this is a great and long-term activity. 

Many of these pieces were very large; for example, the whole side of a building.  I found for the most part they were best viewed at a distance.  Close up not only wasn't the proper perspective, but the background material got too distracting.  Photo-wise,I found it more effective to take a distance photo then crop later than to try to do close up shots.  Join me now for a curated selection!

Untitled/Unknown artist

 

Learning to Fly/Sky Black

 

Flagstaff Rotary Club Centennial Project

From The Sound of Flight/Sky Black, Mural Mice Universal

From The Sound of Flight/Sky Black, Mural Mice Universal

Unity/Karen Fiorito

 

All Dogs Go To Heaven/Erin Brinkman

Untitled/Mrfinsterart

From What Flows Beneath Our Feet/Cy Wagoner,Dave Loewenstein

Galapagos/Joe Sorren

From Untitled/Trust Your Struggle & Native Movements Artists Collectives

                                         "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."

                                                                                                           -------Pablo Picasso

ENJOY THE 4TH!

 

 

  HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

 

Whatever you're doing to celebrate, I hope you enjoy it.  We'll be grilling wieners later, and I'm making some baked beans to accompany them.  We might try to find a movie on Netflix this evening.  It's low-key for us.  

 

OTHER DOIN'S:  

 

 THE MONSOON CAME EARLY!!

 

  

Traditionally monsoon doesn't start 'til 4th of July.  But the real monsoon came a couple weeks early this year, with a full compliment of clouds, thunder, lightning and rain.  Enough to pop open the forest about a week ago.  It's a mixed blessing, as not all areas get the same amount of rain.  But we're glad we don't have to drive the dogs somewhere for their evening walks.

 

MICROGREENS HARVEST

 

 

This is an interesting project.  I started harvesting the first planting.  I tried cutting the little plants with scissors, and finally found the proper size scissors-VERY small-to effectively complete the task.  I also tried pulling them up and breaking off the root with the dirt.  A little dirt still lingers, I find.  This is a mild mix, and the flavor is so mild that if I add it to anything-salad, topping for a sandwich-the flavor disappears. Guess that makes it a micro flavor. So I've been cutting a small daily serving and setting it to the side on my plate and eating it separately.  I've also started the second planting.

 

MORE SUMMER RUNNING SERIES, OH YEAH!

A TINY BEAR HIKE

 

 

SOME INCONSISTENCIES IN THE BEST LAID PLANS

 

The mid-morning Meditation & Yoga Practice doesn't happen more than it does.  My rationalization is that there's a significant energy incongruity.  Mornings are high energy for me once I get going.  To be out and about running, driving if its a SRS run, hiking, biking, working out, and then to wind down for M&Y feels awkward.  There's no other time for it, though, so I'll TRY HARDER!  

Evening Tai Chi after dishes is entirely forgettable. I don't even think of it, even though it's Tai Chi on the deck and I love it when I do remember!  TRY HARDER AGAIN!

Draw Straws for the rest of the evening activity is still fun and I'll keep it; it doesn't happen every evening.  What's interesting is even though I mix up the 6 straws and draw with my eyes closed, I've drawn some more than once and some not at all.  A little looking on line about probability reveals that every draw is independent so every time there's a 1/6 chance of any given straw.  The duplication is random.  Having something less than a mathematical mind, I understand the 1/6 part.  I don't believe the random part.  Some things have to be taken on faith when one's mind won't go there.

 

 

                                               May we think of freedom not as the right to do what we please,

                                               But the opportunity to do what is right. 

                                                                                                               Rev. Peter Marshall