What I Do

As I said in July, or implied, it's time to pull aside the curtain and share.

At first glance, someone looking at my (unwritten) resume, might think I've jumped around quite a bit. But truly, a thread has been running through all of it. I'm going to write a quick summary--basically, throw down some seeds.

Or, bare bones--if that works better for you.

Don't know which ones will sprout first. Or--for you carnivores--which will first put on flesh. But the plan is this: bit by bit, the skinny description will grow. I'll post some of my writing--novel excerpts, short stories, and if I get really gutsy, poetry. I'll post more photography, collage and painting. Also, some images of my garden design. Links to scientific articles I wrote in graduate school (the 1st time, in microbial ecology). And various other projects I've worked on.

All of this in sporadic fits and bursts. Over time, they'll form a picture of what I do.

checking in

No trouble with picture-clicking now (see previous post). Firefox works fine.

Firefox. Foxfire. Foxfire was (is) a good movie. Made for a younger audience, I suspect, but it still has a place in my semi-grown up heart. I wish it had come out in the 70s when I could have used a hero/role model. My guy friends had their muscle guitarists and Dennis Hopper. But I don't recall a One fit for girls. Does anyone besides a handful of viewers even know Angelina Jolie played a huge role in this movie? Another of the actors has achieved fame now as well, as both an actor and director. I'm sorry sir, I'm not remembering your name in my half-asleep state. But you play a fine doctor and vampire in that current series.

I'm going to tell a story. No more PR for awhile! But I must confess, "about to begin" probably means something a little different in my world. Hopefully I'll begin tomorrow. Ditto for "tomorrow."

Some of the Things I Do

Here are some collages and photographs from a show last spring. I hope to show more work during April at a local cafe-brewery and music hall.

These images reflect what I see during the day-to-day here in Central PA. I also included a bit of the Maine coast.

For now, the photos look best enlarged when using Safari as your browser. I don't know why. With Firefox, they either stay small when clicked on, or poof up with horizontal lines. Someone who viewed them in Safari said they looked fine to him. I will figure this out and fix it. But for now...

Winter Trees I

Winter Trees II

Bittersweet


Green Window Light

Velvet Black

Mountain Goat

Running Dog

Drakes Beach Fire

Moonlit Beach Cairns

Ogunquit Cliff House

Windy Sign at the Dead End

Barn, Tumbling

The rest of these pictures are collages made from painted papers, found papers, handmade papers and sand. Really, anything goes. I choose the frames carefully and consider them part of the work. These are one-of-a-kind, handmade objects.

Sleep Fields

Have Rabbit, Will Travel

Doing 90

Nowhere Yet

Spanish Moss

Flooded Park

Forest Home

Angel Dog

Science

What's Blooming

It's big--and it's bad! I love this plant. I think it loves me too. It's been repopulating like crazy in my bed. This one's nearly 7 feet tall. Let me introduce you to...Thalictrum, my Meadow Rue.

From Upcoming "Fragments" Show

One of my photographs, taken not far from my house.
Out riding on a foggy day.

"Spanish Moss"
One of my collages on a deep-edged stretched canvas.
Turned on its side, this piece is about 1 1/2" thick.

A collage by Ruth Kempner.
On the surface of an old darkslide from a 4X5" sheet-film holder.

Photos rarely do collages justice--their tactile presence is flattened.
This one is a real beauty!
I have it propped against the lamp where I drink my first tea of the day.
Ruth--don't worry, it's a safe distance from my tea-holding hands!

Another of my photographs, taken in late October on Drake Island, Maine.
Love those foggy days.

Invitation to My Show

I'll be showing my photography, along with some collages and paintings, at the Foxdale Gallery during the month of April. I'd love to see all my friends--and possible new friends--at my opening reception on Sunday, April 5 from 3:30 'til 5.

I've never shown these photographs before. You'll see landscapes, portraits, patterns, as well as kinetic abstractions. I hope my passions--for nature, the spirit of place, and the strange artifacts that humans leave behind--shine through these photos into you.

Details:

Fragments, an exhibit by artists Kim Dionis, Ruth Kempner, and Karen Deutsch, will be on display April 3 through May 5 at the Foxdale Village Gallery, 2nd floor of the Main Building, 500 Marylyn Avenue, State College. The opening reception on Sunday, April 5 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. is free and open to the public. The exhibit includes a diverse mix of collage, photographs, paintings & mixed media work. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. Please check in at the front desk when arriving.

We're in the midst of getting our postcard together. Some photos will follow shortly.

Here's Where You'll Find It

and where I'll find it... since I can't keep track of my own projects! This is where I will post projects-in-process, as well as projects completed--collages, gardens, stories, whatever it will be.