A Fall Mood

A Fall Mood

The patio furniture is tucked away in the garage for the winter. There is a chill in the air and frost on the pumpkins. Even so, I am warmed by the rich and flaming hues of the turning leaves and inspired by natures bounty of colorful squash, gourds and pumpkins. A real feast for the eyes. 

Living art!

 If you live in the Northwest, its also the time the salmon make that incredible journey back home to the rivers where they began, lay their eggs to continue the cycle only to die themselves.There is a creek not far from where I live, that one can stand on the shore and witness this miraculous return. I am always in awe of their size, power and determination. I tried to capture that in my new giclee "Salmon Run". I pay tribute to them!       

                Yesterday I heard "September Song", sung by Willie Nelson. Listen to it. That song always makes me feel a bit sad and melancholy. As the days grow short and the weather cools, the song reminds us to appreciate these "precious days". Perfect for my fall mood!

Life’s challenges and being an artist …

Alligator Gar

My traveling buddy!

Yes, he and I traveled home together to Seattle on the plane after a great week of printing at a workshop on South Padre Island. He was such a spectacular fish, I couldn't bear to see him thrown in the dumpster at the end of the workshop.  I froze him and packed him well and brought him home in the overhead compartment!  A few weeks later, I unthawed him and got a few more good impressions of him. This particular Gar was from the Rio Grande River. They can get pretty big, up to ten feet long and weigh as much as 300 pounds. Gars are not easily caught, but somtimes "Gar Rodeos" are held to capture them by wire snares. They have a tooth filled snout and smooth scales that are like armor. In fact, these made great arrowheads for the Indians. This beautiful fish was incredible to print and is one of my favorite images.

Life's challenges and being an artist. . .

The last ten years have flown by!  And I’ve spent much of it as the primary caregiver for my mom, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 90. My mom suffered a life changing stroke in 2002 and dad passed away a couple of years later.

I love and miss them both, but being in this role has taken a toll on my physical self, my personal life and my creative energy. I’ve had lots of support from my siblings, but being the only daughter still living in Bellingham, it was challenging to face each day, knowing I was my moms main life line and the one to handle each new crises.

In addition to this, one of my grandsons has undergone 4 heart surgeries and has faced things no one could imagine. You can follow their blog at http://thewheatleyroundup.blogspot.com/

I love being a wife, a mom and a grandma. (nine grandkids) and all that goes with it. In spite of the demands of life, my art world somehow continues to roll along! My work, both originals and reproductions, (inluding Giclees and less expensive prints) can be found in galleries on the east and west coast and on the web.  You can also see some of my prints in the book "Natural Impressions" by Carolyn A. Dahl  I have taught  master classes in my studio and at nature printing workshops. For some nature printing inspiration see  http://www.natureprintingsociety.info/

When my dad was 80, he built my web site for me with the help of a stack of library books and trial and error. Thanks dad! My sister has now taken that on to help me. Thanks sis! So bear with us as we update, edit and give it a fresh new look! 

I’ve included one of the newest images with this blog, and invite you back to view some more prints soon.  Go to www.lorihatch.com to view additional images.

Lori