“Out of Purgatory” December 3-9 Snowbird Utah

This week at Snowbird, (Little Cottonwood canyon Utah) may best described as or at least, a foot out of purgatory. Purgatory being defined as Salt Lake City’s notorious seasonal cycle of inversions. In the Wasatch front air quality has reached the code red status. Polluted air is measured by the AQI (air quality index) developed by the EPA. (Environmental Protection Agency ) It is calculated based on the pollution levels of five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide(SO2), and nitrogen dioxide(NO2).  AQI relates the general health effects associated with different pollution levels, as well as the necessary precautionary steps to take when the air pollution levels become alarmingly high. This week the alarm has sounded to the maximum level red (meaning hazardous to anyone's health.
  It works like this; cold air is trapped close to ground level in the high mountain valleys of Utah (Salt Lake City where I reside) and is held there by atmospheric high pressure. The cold air develops with increasingly trapped pollutants until like this week visibility has decreased to ¼ of a mile. Besides the debilitating respiratory effects the inversions increased depression in many if not most individuals is another malady to contend with. The strategy to coping with the inversions is to get to a higher altitude. Just above the valleys floor the skies are blue and the air much cleaner.

  My time spent at Snowbird was a life saver. Breathing fresher air and seeing brilliant blue sky while having a nice swim in the Cliff’s spa  outdoor pool and a good soak in the hot tub rejuvenated me in a way I am still looking for words to describe. (damn fine for now)
   Much of the pollution in the valleys inversion is contributed to by automobile emissions. So bad air days are an important reason to use public transportation. Transportation organized by the UTA (Utah Transit Authority)  works to consolidate commuters and reduce the no of individual vehicles on the roads. In respect to getting out of the valley and up to the mountains the UTA ski bus greatly reduces canyon pollution and a whole lot of  canyon traffic. Another upside to the ski bus is that it conveniently drops off passengers right at the resort  centers main entrance and the lodge doors. Talking with out of state and out of country visitors they are amazed that one can fly into Salt Lake’s international airport, take the train to the ski bus departure location and have a safe ride right to the world class resorts and the” Greatest Snow on Earth”
Feeling much better now and with my creative thoughts restored  I am now ready to to concentrate on painting.

Game Changer

Last week in November  2017 Snowbird Utah

This week in the canyon  (Little Cottonwood Canyon Utah)
was and could best be described for Snowbird Ski resort
as a game changer. With one ski run open on Thanksgiving
day due to a lack of snow and unseasonably
 warm temperatures This week began with a much needed
and welcomed reported 18” snowfall. Enough snow and
enough cold to warrant cranking up the snow making
machines and get more ski runs operational.

 

This week from an artist's perspective has also brought about
many visual changes. Visual eye candy that I will incorporate
into new sketches and paintings.Bare patches of ground and
rock are slowly disappearing. The towering conifers are also
providing a variety of new painting possibilities and opportunities.

In the shadowed slopes of the mountain the conifers are
adorned with winter coats, coats so heavy as to bend the
lower branches to the ground coats that will become
heavier and heavier until an escape by the returning
northern sun and not perhaps until a long time to come
spring thaw.

Myself continuing work at Snowbird Utah USA

painting a year of seasons

Enough for this posts dialog now time to paint.

Thanksgiving Day 2017 Snowbird Utah USA

An unusually warm day greeted all with interests in the canyon. (Little Cottonwood canyon) Sightseers, hikers, photographers, artists and skiers all found their interests joyfully accommodate With temperatures near 60 deg (f)  the day was savored as one of those last autumn days.

The mountain scenery is in a realm of transition. A transition that will now likely span a very short period of time. Patches of snow and patches of earth come together in stark contrasts of light and dark as well as soft subtle blends that seem as to melt together. Creating and providing a gentle transition between the seasons invoking a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.

From a visual perspective the warm greens and blues of the tall slender pines and fir trees are as welcome friends. Friends there throughout all seasons, all conditions, be that comfortable or harsh. With the dark majestic pines set against but also an integral part of the mountains upper snow filled valleys and bowls the conifers dark, sometimes as dark and as formidable as towers of black steel but with an organic form and structure. Their presence perhaps providing for hope and faith as a solid unmovable constant element in an not so stable world. A world in transition and  in flux. Not just the physical flux of global warming and changing climates but flux in terms of the social and economic effects on human happiness,  prosperity and  existence. Giant conifers who if properly appreciated may and can stand as a symbol or foundation in a changing environment. Giants whose needs also need to be considered and thought of when realizing our individual footprints.

 










 Gazing with the eye to the sky in most all directions are jagged rock outcroppings and cliffs of both smooth granite and others as rough and jagged are only as one might conceive and as only nature could form. Cliffs and rock outcroppings that excite, delight and challenge the artists attempt to represent such diverse forms.  A range of color all in and on one mountain slope. Blues, blue violets, chalky white interlaced with subtitle shades of greens. Contrasted colors of  ochers, sienna's  and umbers on rock outcroppings and steep well defined draws. All of the eye candy must quickly be observed and appreciated as even a small cloud casting shadows against the canyons walls instantly change the whole color pallette.

 

A phenomenon that I look for every time I am privileged to be in the upper elevations of the canyon is that of the delightful illusion of fast moving clouds. An observation that is most likely realized by physically not being that far away from the clouds themselves.  An opportunity to be close to the sun the clouds and the elements. Perhaps closer to other important things if dutifully considered. Paralleling  the fast moving clouds to the reality of how fast time passes and has passed is a reminder to oneself  to deepen one's  gratitude for time spent in such an inspirational environment.

 Vivid bright color and spent up energy were also joyful elements of my observations this Thanksgiving day at the Snowbird. Although climatically warm with substantial effort the enthusiastic crew at Snowbird used there snow making equipment to supplement what natural snow had fallen to get one ski run open. The anxious skiers and snowboarders were seemingly delighted as I perceived from the happy faces and smiles of those looping back to the lift for one more run. The parking lot was also an indicator of contentment.  Individuals with stoves  cooking what looked like a great afternoon picnic.

Canyon Culture, This Week at the “Bird” Snowbird Utah USA

With much thought on the purpose of modeling the role of art in times of socioeconomic transition I have started a new project to engage the purpose of the blog in greater depth and modeling the concept at a personal level.  Read more.................

Millcreek Senior Center Art- Mindfulness Class

Millcreek Senior Center August 2017

Creative Mindfulness: Using Visual Art to support mindfulness

Throughout the ages, art has been synonymous with healing and has in many cultures held a key role in many ancient spiritual and religious healing rituals. Traditionally, art has also been held as a hallowed and fundamental part of society and culture. However, the role of art is changing. It is my hope that as the role of art changes in our society that you will learn new ways to change your perception and participation of the arts.

Today the value of art-making is in increasingly under scrutiny and often dubbed an unnecessary and unimportant luxury. Art is being slowly removed from school curricula and faces defunding. Often art is quarantined in the halls of museums and available only to the select few who have the luxury to go out of their way to be involved with the arts.
The benefits  for seniors, include reduced stress, and increases in relaxation, energy, self-esteem and even cognitive functioning.

“Mindfulness is a way of learning to relate directly to whatever is happening in your life, your sketchbook is a tool for taking charge of your life, a way of doing something for yourself that no one else can do for you — consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain, illness, and the challenges and demands of everyday life

As art’s role in contemporary society is increasingly questioned, another topic has enjoyed a surge in popularity: mindfulness. Contemporary psychology has seen a substantial increase in the study of mindfulness—in 2012 alone over 500 scientific articles on mindfulness

So what's this class about?

This class is about incorporating the many forms of art into a daily routine that ensures a holistic lifestyle. The primary focus is incorporating and using  the visual arts by keeping a sketchbook.

The sketchbook is just a tool to use and record your thoughts. It forces yourself into a greater sense of mindfulness. It’s about mindfulness in a fun way.

My personal application is presented in my blog, “ An Easel A Brush and the Bus”  

http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/

Throughout this blog I use public transportation to free myself from the needed attention to driving myself to various locations to make sketches and take time for mindfulness observation.

Art is so important in my life I also have another blog,  Wasatch Art, http://wasatchart.blogspot.com/  the theme of this blog is modeling the role of art in times of socioeconomic and political transition.

Suggested materials for using the visual arts to create your own mindfulness path.
1. Sketch book, Any type will do, from a inexpensive note book to a nice sketching journal book.
2. Minimally a pencil, and or pen
3. Additionally soft pastels
4. Watercolors and or gouache

The use of all of the above will be demonstrated in the class.

Art Classes 2017 Spring & Summer

Plein Air classes
Adults & Parent Child opportunities

All plein air classes will be based on art as an integral part of life. The classes are for artists and non artists alike. The classes are based on a reflection of the past and will create a sense of present adventure.

 Instruction provided for the student will assist the student to create their own artistic journey of incorporating art and recreation. Best stated the intent and purpose is to develop a holistic incorporation of creativity into one's lifestyle.

The plein air experience:
The idea is, pre photography images of places and things were only experienced either first hand or by viewing drawings and paintings. Many early images of the American landscapes were created by artists accompanying government survey crews as the maped the American west.

The artists were explorers and travelers as well as painters. So students taking part in the plein air experiences will be taught how to create their own adventures by creating images throughout their travels. The thought and opportunity of travel and exploration will vary greatly for each individual. For some the opportunity for distant travel may be possible. For many though travel and exploration will be enjoyed closer to home. It is the close to home exploration that we will develop in the classes and workshops. The focus will be incorporating art into a daily lifestyle. And the opportunities for creating art in our Wasatch front are endless.

Adult class Guardian and Child art class,

Keeping a sketchbook, Summer art activity for both adults and children,

This class is unique because it engages the student in daily interactivity followed up and supported by a weekly class gathering.

This class instructs how to have a daily activity for both students and guardians to enjoy all summer. The fundamentals will be taught and then the students will create work throughout the week to bring to the next class for discussion and personal assistance. Each week techniques will be demonstrated. The key purpose is for the individual to have a daily activity to enjoy and a group to then engage with each week. This informal class will provide a structure for individuals to make friends and form relationships with others of like mind regardless of age and or ability.
The class will be held outside weather permitting and when necessary indoors for demonstrations and studio work.

About the class:
It was the concept of painting outdoors with a group of friends capturing images of common life breaking away from the societal accepted norms, the  polished works of art of aristocrats kings queens and political and business leaders that launched the plein air movement in Paris in 1860.

The impressionist movement and Its originators were artists who rejected the official, government-sanctioned exhibitions, or salons

The Impressionists started as a small group of friends who aimed to capture the momentary, sensory effect of a scene - the impression objects made on the eye in a fleeting instant. To achieve this effect, many Impressionist artists moved from the studio to the streets and countryside, painting en plein air.

 They were not accepted by the mainstream art establishment but soon began having their own art shows and making art history.

 So the question is what will you make your adventure and own personal art experience?
Schedule forthcoming (please contact for more information)

 Kenneth Lund
wasatchart@gmail.com

Adult class
Parent Child Classes

Pursuit of Excellence

Being consumed with an art project that has taken my attention and energy much of the last few years I had to put most of my activities with Easel Brush and Bus blog on hold. I have now geared up for many new activities.

 In preparation for the new work and activities I will be presenting I have a new mind set I will share with you. I have been working on this new direction throughout the previous year.

Living in a large heavily populated metro area I think one can become overwhelmed with the “rat race pace” of a large city and the problems associated with such. Be it the social problems the environmental problems or even the snarled traffic and dangerous task of commuting through traffic it all can add to the challenge of enjoying daily life.

My thoughts and the focus of my work and activities is not on the negative aspects and conditions of where I live. Hopefully you can implement some of the ideas I will present in this blog through the mindset I am cultivating.

My mindset is this:

What are the best things where I live and how best can myself and my family enjoy and participate in the best things? What is excellent?

The first thought that may come to mind in creating your own best things list may be the thought of the financial costs to enjoy the best things. Certainly cost is a consideration however let me say that if anything, this blog is about identifying activities, places and things that any and all can enjoy with minimal or no costs.

  Fundamentally life enriching life activities is what It's all about. I will showcase on an ongoing basis places, things and establishments that I enjoy in my pursuit of excellence.

I am an artist and entrepreneur and since my blog theme is focused on the visual arts the focus of my activities will radiate outward from Salt Lake City to Brigham city on the north to South Utah county on the south and East to Park City and west to Tooele and west to Wendover Nevada.

I am always going to and trying out new locations and establishments. You can spend minimal amounts of money or as much as you desire in the pursuit of excellence.

Since This blog was created at a time when I could not safely drive my own automobile due to visual issues most if not all of the places and venues I go are easily accessible on the Utah Transit system. Spanning approximately 140 miles north to south affordable mobility is available to everyone.

Some of the locations I go to often and there are some establishments I make as my “hub” the points where I first stop, enjoy and depart from to pursue new venues of excellence.

For a growing list of new venues (the Excellence places and things) I visit, please visit the hub page and venues pages in identifying things and places to go and do . I have established some basic criteria and categories

.Developing categories are,

1. What can be enjoyed daily within 1 hour or so
2. What can be enjoyed within an 8 to 10 hour day (all within public transit mobility)
3. What local organizations are supporting excellence for all demographics in art and entertainment
4. What are the excellent business organizations that support the entrepreneur (believing that art and entrepreneurship are closely related.

So much for now, please follow future updates