Photo Journal, no. 41 | Grandma's Sketchbook

Michelle's honey bees.

Michelle hanging clothes.

Michelle and her chickens

Teenage Michelle and Stripe

Michelle dreams

Michelle, Jared, and Lunchbox

Sierra Dawn and Sputnik

Sierra Dawn in Greensboro

Grandma's self-portrait

Sierra Dawn and Michelle, first snow, 2000.



Grandma's taken up sketching again.  On Saturday, I spent some time in her kitchen, noticed the back pack of my sister's old art supplies sitting at the table and had the pleasure of perusing the tiny sketchbook which was mostly empty the last time I'd visited.  I love these sketches, and I hope Grandma forgives me for posting them here (the pictures do not capture their vivid colors and liveliness).  What I love, most, is that in some ways Grandma's sketches of me cater to my vanity--she draws cartoon versions of me as I'd like to live, with my chickens and bees, in my ethnic prints and big earrings.  My grandma dreams for me, which makes me feel so lucky, and so validated.  I've included some of her sketches of my sister, and the sketch of herself as well, because they're just so lovely.  I couldn't resist.

Photo Journal, no. 40 | Color & Pattern

Photo Journal, no. 39 | Nine Realms

Photo Journal, no. 38 | Fire!

I don't talk much about my job.  It's not a terrible job, but it's not incredibly interesting either--not usually, anyways.  One of our workshops, however, is Fire Recovery, in which we set up a faux museum exhibit, light it on fire (with the help of various fire departments), and then allow workshop participants to attempt to salvage "artifacts".  The process of the workshop is long and and somewhat grueling, but setting up for the burn is eerie.  So macabre, putting together a table setting in a grim warehouse, just to destroy it by fire.

Photo Journal, no. 37 | Fake Polaroids

Very clearly, Lunchbox has been a favorite subject of mine lately.  How could he not be?  So handsome!