Growing Up Gamer

My nerdy Nintendo collection pictured above - to coincide with a exhibit of gaming at the Aurora History Center called, Growing Up Gamer.

A Hicory Handled Hatchet

Been awhile... I haven't had much to post lately. My time has been spent trying to experience more real, tangible things - like the smell of burning juniper wood, getting my boots dusty, or the satisfactory feel of chopping wood for the campfire with a hickory-handled hatchet in my hand (recent flea-market score pictured above).

In the studio I'm finishing up a commission. A smoother weave of canvas and more fluid Golden-brand "Open" acrylics have yielded a nice velvety surface to these recent works - something I enjoy immensely when topped by a smooth satin varnish. My afternoons between classes have been spent taking short hikes in the foothills or walking down to the art museum and library in downtown Denver. Of course walking isn't the most efficient form of transportation, but I tend to agree with Edward Abbey when he says,

"There are some good things to be said about walking. Not many, but some. Walking takes longer, for example, than any other known form of locomotion except crawling. Thus it stretches time and prolongs life. Life is already too short to waste on speed. I have a friend who's always in a hurry; he never gets anywhere. Walking makes the world much bigger and thus more interesting. You have time to observe the details. The utopian technologists foresee a future for us in which distance is annihilated and anyone can transport himself anywhere, instantly. Big deal, Buckminster. To be everywhere at once is to be nowhere forever, if you ask me."

One could easily also compare the internet to being "everywhere at once" and "nowhere forever"- so I'm trying to be more present, and to slow down. The internet seems increasingly trivial.

All the best to everyone out there checking in at "minutiae",

Nathan

For the Love of Utah

A mix of photos I've taken in Utah over the years...

Spring Break!

Soon... some Desert Solitaire. Currently preparing by reading up on Cold Splinters, the Non-Technical Canyon Guide to the Colorado Plateau,  gathering supplies, and making playlists. Music of choice for long drives in the West this Spring will be:

• Phosphorescent, "Muchacho" 
• Morriconez, "Cloud of Dust Cry of Death"
• Songs: Ohia, "Magnolia  Electric Co"
• Music from Saharan Cellphones
• Handsome Furs, Plague Park (every road trip)
• Neil Young
• Javelin, Hi Beams
• Charlie Parr
• Jack Rose
• Daniel Bachman
• M. Sage

and probably several episodes of Mysterious Universe, The Extraenvironmentalist, 99% Invisible, This American Life, and Radiolab podcasts.

 Photo from Natural Bridges National Monument from last year - taken by me.

Zine by Terence Hannum

 While a lot of the zine appears to be pretty standard style tumblr-influenced collages - the spread above is great. Check out the whole thing by Terence Hannum at Kiddiepunk.

That cathedral/amp combo above definitely brings to mind this awesome photo of the band Sunn O))).

From yesterday's hike:

Wednesday Wind-down

I had the priveledge of seeing both of these musicians perform at Groundswell Gallery on Sunday - both are exceptional ambient musicians based in Colorado:

Above is his free album from a couple years ago - but you can find more recent work of his here bandcamp and here:

Beatiful soaring soundscapes with vocal overlays - brings to mind Julianna Barwick and Grouper a little.

Photo of the Day

Painting of the Day: Degas

Edgar Degas, Landscape, Monotype in oil colors, heightened with pastel, 1892 via the Metropolitan Museum

Abstractions at Groundswell Gallery

My three untitled small abstractions (above) can be seen at Groundswell Gallery as part of the "Provisional" group show for just a few more days before the new exhibition opens at the beginning of March.

Wednesday Wind-down

Nice shoegazed-out guitar instrumentals with a bit of a Twin Peaks vibe



Ambient soundscapes from Boulder's Radere - performing at Groundswell Gallery this Sunday with several other notable sound/video artists.

New Kaye Donachie

Kaye Donachie
From the compassion that was I, 2013
oil on canvas, 51 x 41 cm

Hare in the Snow

Photo and video by me - snowshoe hare in the fresh Rocky Mountain National Park snow - discovered while snowshoeing in the park yesterday.

and here's a grainy video of some coyotes playing in the park as well:

New Kaye Donachie, Glenn Sorensen, Hiroshi Sugito

Galerie Zink

Wednesday Wind-down

Great, somewhat eerie soundtrack-style instrumental tracks - the description given says, "An exercise in epic introspection."



 I'll follow that up with the very pleasant neo-classical official soundtrack to the norwegian documentary "Nordfor Solen".

Remember - you can stream most bandamp releases in their entirety -so give these a listen and enjoy your Wednesday wind-down.

New drawing

I made a new 8x10" drawing (as yet untitled)

New writing/review venture

I'm writing reviews of cassette/independent releases at Tome to the Weather Machine now. You can read my first review of M. Sage here.

Estate Sale Score

I got this 1800s coverlet at an estate sale in East Denver today. Awesome designs!

Two with Text

 CHRIS CACCAMISE

Under the Paving Stones the Beach, 2010
flashe + enamel on bristol paper
32 x 4 x 19 inches
 

My photo of a vintage fortune teller arcade machine in Manitou Springs

Wednesday Wind-down

From the artist; "Sun Showers is equal parts relaxation & reflection - the sounds of a warm day spent on the porch, washed in a light rain. For this release, Matthew collected a handful of field recordings - a large wind chime found at the local gardening store, some bird songs from his front yard, and a brief rain shower that eased in one afternoon - and then processed each one to create new, unique texture. Acoustic guitar, keys, and a subtle jazz drum sample were also used to compose the Sun Shower soundscape"



For something a little less open - and a bit more composed, check out Emmalee Crane's "Formantine" album. Whereas the Barlow album above is quiet and private, "Formantine" is big and open. Crane uses a mix of horns and electronic textures to layer up a very rich, complex sound.