Month: January 2013

Grass Mountain

I went on an unexpected hike up Grass Mountain today. It was so pretty. I was reminded of the work of Galen Rowell while I watched the playful and impressive California light. Below are a few pictures I caught as the sun was getting low.

DSCF3368 — A little while ago, my cousin visited me along the Central Coast. It was unusually cold while he was here. Nevertheless, we bundled up and explored some of the local countryside together. Here is a picture he took of me as we drove up Figueroa Mtn. Road.

DSCF3336 — Apparently I make some funny faces while I draw. Below are some recent things I did while out with my cousin.

Here is the drawing I made when the above photograph was taken. — This is the drawing I made when the above photograph was taken.

Hills — A painting I made while out with painter, friend, colleague, Nancy Yaki.

Sepia — I have been working on quick value studies of late. Here is one of a recently ploughed field.

An unfinished study.

Cow wash — A cow study.

A few other cows... — A few other cows…

An architectural drawing of Loy Dorms.

A quick wash of Loy.

A New Year's resolution was to use a paint brush everyday. I have come to really love the variety of brushes and applications. It is such an experimental process to learn what each brush can be used for. — A New Year’s resolution of mine was to use a paint brush everyday along with drawing. I have come to really appreciate the variety of brushes I have and the study of their applications. To learn what each brush can be used for is such an experimental process. The above sketch was used with a small flat brush.

A loose self portrait.

Inspired by a sunset.

Square — A square composition.

Self — Another self portrait.

New York and Costa Rica (in drawings and paintings)

Post author By adrianeisenhower
Post date January 7, 2013
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The coast along the Pacific.

The day before I flew to Costa Rica I visited one of my favorite places, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met was hosted several great shows including George Bellows, Matisse and Bernini. I also spent time with this Roman copy of a Greek Muse, a sculpture I have probably drawn half a dozen times. She is beautiful. — The day before I flew to Costa Rica I visited one of my favorite places, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met was hosting several great shows including George Bellows, Matisse and Bernini. I also spent time with this Roman copy of a Greek Muse, a sculpture I have probably drawn half a dozen times. Que bella!

I also visited Leda and the Swan by Jacque Sarrazin.

And then, off to Costa Rica. — And then, off to Costa Rica. Above is mostly a study of perspective and inquiry into how architecture directs human traffic.

Waiting to board.

Jungles — A quick landscape near Paul’s farm.

A quick watercolor painting inspired by the remarkable tropical colors. No wander Winslow Homer was so inspired! — A quick watercolor painting inspired by the remarkable tropical colors. No wonder Winslow Homer was so inspired!

A coastal scene.

The jungle in sienna.

Negative space in the jungle.

Negative space II

Elan.

Paul receiving Hammock Therapy.

Portraits.

The coast along the Pacific.

New York and Costa Rica (in photographs)

Post author By adrianeisenhower
Post date January 6, 2013
No Comments on New York and Costa Rica (in photographs)

The group of crazy and fun people I shared New Year's eve with.

I went back east for a while over break. It was great to be around familiar people and places. I spent much of my childhood traipsing through the woods along the Hudson River. — I went back east for a while over winter break. It was wonderful to be around such familiar people and places. I spent much of my childhood traipsing through the woods along the Hudson River and felt immediately at home there, even in the cool climes of a New York winter. Below are just a few pictures of the family, friends and some sights I encountered over break, in both New York and Costa Rica.

_DSF2383 — Here is mom. Hard to find words to describe her. She is an amazing woman. I did not realize how much I missed her cooking until I was back and at the dinner table.

_DSF2300 — I got to catch up with my friend, Chris Raines. Aside from a pirate, he is also a buddhist monk.

_DSF2310 — Here is Connie Hoggarth, another inspiring friend. It is fair to say that she has committed her life to working toward social justice.

_DSF2321 — I went on a brisk hike up Breakneck Ridge with friend and climbing partner, Jack. Here he is climbing a semi-technical section on Breakneck.

_DSF2357 — My dad taking Charlie, his dog, for a walk along the river.

A detail of leaves and branches against a macabre sky. Kind of a mosaic tiling. A few days later I flew to the tropical zone of Costa Rica, bidding New York and those I love there adieu. — A detail of leaves and branches against a macabre sky. It reminded me of mosaic tiling or a stain glass pattern. A few days later I would fly to Costa Rica, bidding a snowy New York and those I love there adieu.

It is difficult to believe how varied this earth is. Here is the dense vegetation of Costa Rica, near Punta Mona, on the Caribbean side of the country.

_DSF2510 — My buddy Chris and I were met at the airport in San Jose by Paul, Jan and Maureen. Paul, Chris’ brother, has been living in Costa Rica for two years. Jan and Maureen, their parents, have just moved down there. Here is Maureen, on the left and Chris, on the right.

Here is Paul, showing us the edible forest he has been cultivating. — Here is Paul, showing us the edible forest he has been cultivating. His families’ property sweeps down into a lush valley and is an impressive sight.

Garden — This is a fraction of Paul’s work. Even the plot of land in this photograph yields a great amount and variety of fruits and vegetables.

The next day, Paul, Chris and I carried on to the coast of Puerto Viejo.

We stopped first in the capital city, San Jose to catch our bus to the coast. — We stopped first in the capital city, San Jose, to catch our bus to the coast.

From Puerto Viejo, we carried on to Punta Mona for a New Year's celebration. Above is Chris walking the plank with Monkey Island in the background. — From Puerto Viejo, we carried on by boat to Punta Mona for a New Year’s celebration. Above, Chris is walking the plank with Monkey Island in the background.

Punta Mona is kind of an eco-lodge, non-accredited permaculture university, yoga retreat, off the grid experiment created by this man, Steve Brooks. What I mean to say is that it is a difficult place to pin down but I cannot recommend visiting enough. More information can be found at http://puntamona.org — Punta Mona is kind of an eco-lodge, permaculture college, retreat center, off the grid experiment- founded by this man, Stephen Brooks. What I mean to say is that it is a difficult place to pin down but I cannot recommend visiting enough. More information can be found at http://puntamona.org. You can also find Stephen giving a TedTalk at https://vimeo.com/18572269

Here is the kitchen at Punta Mona. Certainly a place of gathering and where good things are made. — Here is the kitchen at Punta Mona. Certainly a place of gathering and where deliscious things are made.

One of several buildings on the property. Inside here are several beds. — One of several buildings on the property. Inside are several bedrooms.

Kimberly sharing with me a dinosaur egg that she found.

The group of crazy and fun people I shared New Year's eve with. — The group of crazy and fun people we shared New Year’s eve with.

The boat preparing for departure. Chris, Paul and I stayed at Punta Mona for another day.

We were given a tour of the farm by Stephen. He pointed out everything that was edible, herbal or medicinal. He truly believes in permaculture as a way of life and the ancient wisdom of living in a connected way to the earth. — We were given a tour of the farm by Stephen. He pointed out everything that was edible, herbal, medicinal or other. He truly believes in permaculture as a way of life and the ancient wisdom of living in a connected way to the earth. On the right is Paul carrying a Bread Fruit Tree that he would later plant.

Instead of boating back, we chose to hike out through the jungle.

Instead of boating back, we chose to hike out through the jungle. — Chris taking a photograph of the light coming through the canopy.

The spectacular light that we hiked through.

_DSF2880 — We wound our way back to Manzanillo, another coastal town by the outskirts of Puerto Viejo.

Chris and I headed back to spend time with Jan and Maureen. Paul stayed another day to attend a meeting with a tribal leader. He wants to help facilitate the planting of thousands of Bread Fruit Trees which would provide a source of income and food for the indigenous in the area. With my last day in Costa Rica, Chris, Jan, Maureen, Romeo (the dog) and I piled into the car and drove the other coast. In a town called Jaco, Chris and I rented surf boards and spent an afternoon kind of catching waves. — Chris and I went back to spend time with Jan and Maureen. Paul stayed another day near Puerto Viejo to attend a meeting with a tribal leader. He wants to help facilitate the planting of thousands of Bread Fruit Trees, which would provide a source of income and food for the indigenous in the area. With my last day in Costa Rica, Chris, Jan, Maureen, Romeo (the dog) and I piled into the car and drove to the coast, this time the Pacific.

Maureen by the ocean.

In a town called Jaco, Chris and I rented surf boards and spent an afternoon kind of riding waves. So much fun, rounded off with a crimson sun setting into the Pacific. Early the next morning I flew out of Costa Rica and back to LA. School picks up again in a few days, which I am looking forward to. Needless to say, I miss my dear family and friends and look forward to the next adventures ahead. — In a town called Jaco, Chris and I rented surf boards and spent an afternoon kind of riding waves. So much fun, rounded off with a crimson sun setting into the ocean. Early the next morning I flew out of Costa Rica and back to LA. School picks up again in a few days, which I am looking forward to. Needless to say, I miss my dear family and friends and look forward to the next shared adventures ahead!

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Dad — Throughout my life my father has taught me a great deal. I was even a student in his Sociology of Knowledge class. Now he is teaching me lessons on Being Present, on Time, Memory, Attachment and even Courage. He is succumbing to Alzheimer’s. This diptych is an attempt at conveying how it is for me to watch him through this stage of his life. By no means is it easy. He was a solid presence in my life and in this new iteration is something more vaporous.