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QUEST: 1,000 Woodcuts Update
July 2001 -  132 completed
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While some of you are thinking about your favorite vacation spot, I am wondering where I'm going to transport all my newly framed art. That's right! This letter officially marks the beginning of a new season for me. The pile of art and equipment in the dining room seems larger every year, but somehow it all fits into the tiny trailer (let's hope).
Next weekend, I'm off to Flagstaff to breathe some cooler air and test the art waters in Arizona. After that, it's off to Colorado and from then on...madness!
 
By the way, if you want to be added to my physical mailing list (that's the one where you actually get a piece of paper in the mail box), just send me your address. I mail out a festival calendar and other nonsense twice a year. A Christmas print seems somehow to make its way to my favorite people every year.
Upcoming exhibits always listed here, do come by if you can.
http://www.1000woodcuts.com/exhibits/exhibit.html

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New Stuff:
Let's see, first are my happy colorful woodpeople, a series of 5:
http://www.printmakingstudio.com/outwood/owgallery3.html
A somber reminder to enjoy every day to its fullest:
http://www.printmakingstudio.com/fullsize/struck.html
A strange print inspired by architecture:
http://www.printmakingstudio.com/fullsize/newel.html
The beauty and grace of flamenco (my favorite working music):
http://www.printmakingstudio.com/fullsize/viva.html
http://www.printmakingstudio.com/fullsize/bailedelsol.html
And more hiking prints from around these parts:
http://www.printmakingstudio.com/handprintedcards/mini.html

New Quotes and Diary entries:
http://www.1000woodcuts.com/1000woodcuts/quotes.html
http://www.1000woodcuts.com/1000woodcuts/diary.html

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Thoughts and Ramblings

I find isolation refreshing and full of wonder. I truly feel for those that must surround themselves by things and people constantly and never let go of the mind-filling clutter that popular entertainment can bring about. A hermitage is in order.
No, I'm not talking about holing up in a cave with nothing but a bag of Fritos, a can of beans and a woodcut knife. A good healthy hermitage is a state of mind, accomplished any time and any place with a little imagination. Twenty minutes of gardening, a morning walk, a drive to work, "zoning out" during one of those reruns...plenty of places for reflection and renewal.
When I worked at the corporate factory I found that the problems and the relentless pace of the rat race took over my entire life. I work harder now, probably longer hours, definitely less coffee breaks, sometimes can't draw the line between work and play (am I working now as I write this? does updating my web site constitute "work"?), nowhere to turn when things don't get done on time, or at all. Only the self to praise and blame. Yet it seems like the mind is in that perpetual state of peace, formerly attained only in a true hermitage.
A hermitage brings about new ideas, much work accomplished, reflection upon how delightful life can be, the proverbial counting of our blessings, a new appreciation for everything, self discovery and a thousand other things.
Not to reward myself with too much of a good thing, I am now prepared for that absolutely social and hectic affair called "art festival season." We must live a life of balance, after all...let the fun begin!

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Quote(s) of the Day

"Who waits until the wind shall silent keep
Will never find the ready hour to sow."
--Helen Hunt Jackson

"Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be."
--Clementine Paddleford

Thanks for listening and health to all,
Maria

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Maria Arango, Printmaker
Las Vegas  Nevada  USA
http://www.1000woodcuts.com
Follow along!
maria(AT)mariarango.com
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