December 2023 - Cold Moon

December 18th: My dad's retrospective art show

My dad's retrospective art show included 97 pieces of art spanning 50 years of his life. To be there with the the entire family and see so many old friends and new was spectacular. Looking over the pieces, I remembered where I first saw each one, where it has been hung in the past. But seeing them all in a room together shows the journey my dad has been on. Diane who works at the Rawr West Museum and helped organize the exhibit said that my dad's work is art for artists - asking questions rather than giving answers.

For my entire life, my dad has always been working on something. When we lived on Theresa Lane, he had an art studio in the backyard where he worked. It was a space with a large desk, supplies, and room to store his art. He would spent a lot of time out there working and I have memories of sitting next to him to draw when I was in elementary school. He had a heater to stay warm and a stereo system to listen to NPR or music. That was all he needed.

When we moved houses, my dad had to get a new art studio - so he ordered a shed. I remember how this ordinary looking shed arrived in our backyard, but my dad quickly made it extraordinary again, just like the last one. This time, I got to see the process. He filled it with supplies, a desk or two, shelves to store art pieces, and so many random items and artifacts he found - feathers, jars, dried hollow gourds, masks, animal skulls, wishbones, ceramic bowls, and wicker baskets. He had his heater and a stereo system, and that was once again all that he needed to take something ordinary and make it his.

Throughout the years, I rarely worked in the studio with him - it was his space. But I do remember going down to the Art Institute of Chicago to see the current exhibits before his class visit. I remember watching Art21 videos and helping to put up his students' artwork in Manitowoc or take it down or clean his classroom or sort supplies. I remember walking along Lake Michigan on campus collecting drift wood and sea glass. And all the while there would be new art that he was working on. When I asked him questions about it, it led to long discussions where I never left certain of exactly what he was thinking about. Later, those discussions turned towards what I was reading about in my college classes and what I was working on. He always wanted to help by sharing his thoughts or bringing up other sides to my argument. There was never a subject he couldn't discuss. Seeing his work all together shows all the questions he's asked and continues to ask himself. Seeing so many friends and family in one space shows all the people who have supported him along the way- who he's had long discussions with.

During his talk at the retrospective, my dad brought up the concept of place- what brings a place its meaning, what can make a place holy or sacred, how can it hold and reflect a history or hide a past. We'll be leaving the US shortly to go travel abroad and the definition of place will be a question I keep in mind.

If you have a chance before February 18th, go check out the exhibit at the Rawr West Museum in Manitowoc, WI.

December 27th: Full Moon Wrap up

We are currently up in northern Wisconsin and can't quite see the full moon through the clouds. But it is definitely a cold one!

The cabin has offered us the respite we needed and so many hours sweating in the sauna and petting pups. We've eaten great food, had a wonderful time with family and are feeling grateful as this year comes to a close.

During this full moon:

• We started in the desert in Texas backpacking through Big Bend National Park

• We met Elisa's very kind parents in San Antonio who cooked us delicious risotto and talked about books till midnight

• We drank coffee at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans with great friends and danced to live jazz. Even saw an alligator in the bayou!

• We saw Mark's family in Nola and had a great time with Karel, Bob, Erin, Jack, and Grace!

• The best thing Mark ate was Buccee's beaver nuggets (iykyk) and muffuletta.

• The best thing Abby ate was Marisa's risotto, dad's smoked chicken, fried crab in Nola and Kopp's onion rings.

We're about to head overseas - first stop is India! We are feeling grateful for everyone who met us along the way of our road trip, who took us in for a night or two, who called to check in and sent us love from afar. Excited for what's to come in 2024!