Travel log 2

These three images are from my time at the Tungurahua Tea Room, in Banos. I spent 3 weeks here as part of the WWOOF program, working on the small farm and playing with big dogs.



The farm is situated at the base of the active volcano, Tungurahua. From the fields and orchard we had a breath taking view of the snow-capped volcano, which rumbled constantly during my stay. It often spewed out ash, which luckily is taken away by the wind. One night I woke up to find her grumbling and throwing out glowing lava and burning rocks.



The idea of using my art as a journal is new to me, and prompted by my class earlier this summer at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (see earlier posts for work from the class). Incorporating my own experiences and emotions is difficult to teach, and was never something that had been a part of my art education. I was more interested in the "academic" side of art, if there is one. But I am starting to think that is just the tip of the iceberg, and, while a great way to get started in making art, can be rather limiting. I still believe it is important to understand and concentrate on formal qualities of a work, but finding a way to do this in your own voice and in a personal, meaningful way is just as important. Actually doing that, though, is not quite as easy, but I see these documentary sketches as a beginning.