Memorial

In 2018 on May 15th, my mother died. Every year I make a piece to remember my mother and her life.

2025 Memorial Mom

The beads are from one of my mother’s necklaces.

2025 Memorial Mom

Code for the word–Loss

2025 Memorial Mom

Inside of the piece.

2025 Memorial Mom

It can be free standing.

2025 Memorial Mom

Code for my mother’s date of birth 02151930 and the date of her death 05152018.

2025 Memorial Mom

The code for this page is 2025 and Unshed Tears for My Mother.

2025 Memorial Mom

I knotted the green thread around the raw white linen. Each five knots is used to represent a dash. There are two dashes (M), space, three dashes (O), space, and two dashes (M).

2025 Memorial Mom

Materials–
The green paper is painters’ paper. I had some paint left over from a piece. Rather than letting it go to waste, I printed it on a roll of paper. I used a parcel for the corrugated cardboard. The remaining materials are–watercolor paper, a few metal bits for the closure, beads from one of my mother’s necklace, and adhesive.

Scale–5.75″ x 4.75″ x .5″


Thoughts on Video–8 Japanese Aesthetics That Might Change How You See Beauty

It is challenging to show the complete content of art books.

If the book is closed the content on the pages is concealed. If the book is open, the closure, cover, and remaining pages are not accessible.

Today I was watching a video on YouTube–

8 Japanese Aesthetics That Might Change How You See Beauty

I was struck by this passage–

Masayuki Kurokawa (Japanese architect and designer) explains that hiding part of a work is not about withholding. It’s an invitation.

The creator doesn’t expect the viewer to see the work exactly as they do. Instead, they hope the viewer will bring their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and in doing so, become part of the creative process. In this way, Japanese aesthetics do not always aim for precise communication.

There is no single correct interpretation.

Instead, there’s a quiet belief that something in the viewer’s heart will naturally resonate with the creator’s intention.

Art becomes complete through that shared experience, through presence, imagination, and mutual sensitivity.

I agree with the bit about the viewer bringing their own thoughts… I generally think of it as seeing the work through the filter of your own experiences.

I don’t agree that the viewer becomes part of the creative process, just by looking at the work. I feel that devalues the artist’s education, years of experience, the number of works constructed, and the work.

My interpretation is the correct one for my work. If someone views my work and arrives at a different interpretation; their interpretation is not equivalent to mine. Their interpretation is not valid.

For example, a viewer may appreciate a material used in one of my pieces but may not comprehend the importance of that material to the content. How can they possibly arrive at a valid interpretation of the work?

Hike South Hills SLO, CA

Plants seen today during hike South Hills in San Luis Obispo, CA.

All of the names came from Google AI. Some information wasn’t available or contradictory. Sorry if incorrect.

Viola pedunculata
Plants on Hike

Acmispon
Plants on Hike

Calystegia macrostegia
Plants on Hike

Chlorogalum pomeridianum
Plants on Hike

Dipterostemon
Plants on Hike

Dodecatheon
First time that I have ever seen them in this location. Unsuccessfully attempted to grow this plant in my garden.
Plants on Hike

Dodecatheon
Plants on Hike

Eschscholzia californica
Plants on Hike

Fritillaria biflora
Another plant that I’ve not seen in this location. Interesting that there was a single plant very near the trail.
Plants on Hike

Fritillaria biflora
Plants on Hike

Lathyrus vestitus with Bee
Plants on Hike

Lomatium macrocarpum
Plants on Hike

Phacelia
Plants on Hike

Phacelia
Plants on Hike

Plantago
Plants on Hike

Stachys bullata
Plants on Hike

Dudleya
Plants on Hike


Letterlocking and Notes on Work

Currently working on this piece–Regret

Regret 4

Because I use a variety of codes and ciphers, I include notes with each piece. Notes are affixed to the back of the Wallpieces and a separate page included in each book.

I recently noticed that a couple of wallpieces were no longer flat on the wall. The note envelopes were coming a bit open. I could have used a tie closure, but it added a bit of bulk.

Memories 1

Memories 2

Orwell 1

Orwell 2

Orwell 3

Recently found some letterlocking examples and tutorials on YouTube. I have dinked around a bit with them, but some are too bulky.

This is a simple Regency example–

Letterlocking 1

Letterlocking 2

Letterlocking 3

I was curious if seen, would folks know how to easily open and refold. I did a little test. I wrote up my progress notes for my last visit to my rheumatologist. He opened it right off. Asked if it was origami. I like the the folded letter is small and can fit in a pocket.

This is how I am planning to affixed notes to one of my current project.
I will be applying a rust promoter to the washers. Will wait and see if I can write directly on the letter or will need to write notes on a piece of paper and tuck inside the letter.

Regret 1

Regret 2

Regret 3

Regency Era Letter Folding Tutorial – Jane Austen Style
Note & Wish

Looking forward to attempting some of the letterlocking examples on this YouTube channel.
Letterlocking videos


Bermuda buttercup (Buttercup oxalis) (Oxalis pes-caprae)

I am not keen on yellow, but am warming to this plant. I have a few volunteers in the courtyard and hundreds in the orchard.

Oxalis pes-caprae

Curious that I never noticed the shape of the foliage until today.

When pressed the flowers become a lovely golden color.

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources–Weed Gallery