Earthships

During my time in Taos my new friend Loretta and I took a little road trip out to the Greater World Earthship  Community.  I have wanted to see this place for years.  Michael Reynolds, the architect/builder and founder is brilliant.  I saw his dvd "Garbage Warrior" years ago and found it so moving it brought me to tears.  Again, as I told Loretta about the dvd, I was brought to tears.  Of course, I have to share with you as well.  If you ever have a chance to see this place, you will be inspired.

When we arrived we saw Michael walking away from the visitors center and we thought it was closed.  We wandered for a few minutes and then discovered it was in fact open.  The architecture is amazing but the sustainability in design and life inside the structures is genius!

I also discovered that you can rent one of the properties for a night or few - definitely on my list for my next visit to the Taos area.

How cool would it be to live in one of these!

 

Time in Taos

Mitch Lyons

My first destination spot was Taos.  I had been through Taos before but never spent much time there.  This time I had arranged to participate in a workshop, learn some new stuff and meet some artists.

I have had a love for printmaking for many years and have been interested in alternative or experimental printmaking techniques.  About 5+ years ago I learned about Mitch Lyons and his "Clay Monotypes"  I wanted to take his workshop ever since.  Mitch resides in Pennsylvania so it wasn't very convenient for me to take his workshop until he brought it to Taos this summer.  He reserved all the rooms at an Inn/B&B where they had a workshop space.  The workshop was great, the Inn, not so much.  Although the property was beautiful, a miscommunication between the innkeepers and Mitch left us all feeling unwelcome.  There's a big long story about this that I won't go into other than to NOT recommend this place to anyone I know or who reads this.

Mitch developed the clay monotype process after years of working with clay.  I was intrigued with the technique and enjoyed the process as well as meeting other artists in the workshop.  Mitch is truly a sweetheart and I am grateful to finally have met him.

We have arranged to have Mitch come teach the Clay Monotype workshop at the Tubac Center of the Arts where I work next spring.  I highly recommend this to anyone that works with clay or printmaking or even anyone interested in learning new art techniques.