PAINTING BY STAR*

I am still in a slight state of disbelief in that I was fortunate enough to travel to Anchorage and McCarthy ALASKA this June 2024 as a recipient of the Meg Hunt Artist In Residency Program sponsored by the Wrangell Mountain Center. Here are some highlights!

THE AMAZING PEOPLE I met at the Wrangell Mountain Center were beyond caring, smart, creative and resourceful artists and individuals, but were integral to Arts and Sciences, providing public workshops, events and hospitality. The town of McCarthy, located in the heart of the St. Elias – Wrangell Mountain Range was a gorgeous summer locale, alive with wildlife, forest, running creeks of glacier water and the town had great food and drink. WRANGELL AIR generously donated a flight see to me and a dream came true, we flew over the glaciers! This experience completely changed my life.

THE AMAZING PEOPLE I met at the Wrangell Mountain Center were beyond caring, smart, creative and resourceful artists and individuals, but were integral to Arts and Sciences, providing the public workshops, events and hospitality.

The town of McCarthy, located in the heart of the St. Elias – Wrangell Mountain Range was a gorgeous summer locale, alive with wildlife, forest, running creeks of glacier water and the town had great food and drink.

WRANGELL AIR generously donated a flight see to me and a dream came true, we flew over the glaciers! This experience completely changed my life. As an artist in residence, they offered us flight opportunities as well as the workers and residents of this tiny town, that like most gorgeous places, has a lot of tourists. In winter, there are about 30-40 residents but in summer the town was bustling, busy and fun.

I was asked to come to the Wrangell Mountain Center to freely create art and provide a community outreach event at the culmination. The experience helped me start a new series of collage art and I’m also making a new group of oil paintings under the theme ALASKA WHITE.

DANDELION TIGER SWALLOWTAIL

I saw this beauty just feet outside my cabin door, feeding on tall and sunny dandelions. Struck by the impermanence of open sun seeking flowers and butterfly life cycle, time is ever changing. Filled with happiness and gratitude, I was also humbled by my short time in Alaska.

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS

The first thing I noticed when arriving to McCarthy Town, were the Swallows everywhere, flying at high speeds with acrobatic moves. This is the view from my cabin window, purple mountains and gorgeous trees, singing birds. The title refers to the mailing stamp used in the blue sky area.

AINT NO BED OF ROSES

I love this piece because I heard a Great Horned Owl hoot in the trees just outside of my cabin, which was located only feet away from the creek. The sound of rushing water soothed my soul and up all night, making collage art, I heard his distinct song. The title comes from the harsh realities of living in Alaska and in this place that’s OFF THE GRID, notably during cold long and dark winters.

BEING TOGETHER ALWAYS MAKES ME SMILE

Tiny centimeters were cropped at the bottom of this piece that reads, “Being Together Always Makes Me Smile” part of the upcycled scrap book paper I sourced at the Wrangell Mountain Center. On the 9 hour drive to McCarthy from Anchorage, Bald Eagle sightings delighted. One observation was a huge adult flying almost face to face towards a juvenile eagle. I saw many eagles in Alaska.