FOUNDLING ART

One of the many things I love about my hometown, Portland, is that it is filled with art. From the major statues and installations downtown, to the often amazing graffiti, to galleries and showrooms, both high and low brow, to our amazing museums and art schools; we are rich is art. But what I love most is what I've taken to call, orphan or foundling art. Art without a home; it is everywhere in Portland. It is there one day, perhaps for a few weeks, but then it is gone.
I first noticed foundling art shortly after moving here 16 years ago. Some whimsy put toy horses on the sidewalk iron horse rings. (Leftovers from the pre-industrial days these iron rings are part of curbs and occasionally walls and posts. The were put there to tether your mounts.) Whimsy put tiny toy horses on curbside attached to iron rings sometimes half the size of the toy. Another more recent foundling art was yarn art: knitted or crocheted covers or wraps for things like fire hydrants, bike racks, street signs, and once I saw a line of curbside trees with multicolored scarves. Sadly I have only memories of these; no pictures of my own.
But in the last few months I've had my eye out and have whipped out my phone's camera to record other orphans. The first I snapped on the corner of SW Milwaukee and Powell. As I waited for the crosswalk I saw this on the streetlight pole.
 
It seems to be metal, fused to the pole just above six feet off the ground. It is as small as my thumb nail. I laughed out loud when I saw it.
The second piece:


Ink on plywood, an old crate top actually was laying in a fallow front yard on NE Fremont between 9th and 10th Avenues. I loved this one so much I adopted it. It is sitting on my front porch. I plan on framing it.

Next:



Painted, stenciled blocks of wood each about 4'x6'. I found them on NE 8th Ave. There are regularly scraps of wood and such on the sidewalk here but these were the first finished pieces I've seen there. I like the 'free stuff' sign and the randomness; someone had just dropped them it seems.

And finally for this post just from this evening:



1.5' origami prayer swan, sitting in the window of the #70 bus just under a 'scar' in the window tint. I had been on the bus for almost ten minutes, lost in sadness (long story) when my stop approached. I pulled the cord looking out the left for the first time, yep that's my jean clad knee there. I snorted like a surprised horse, my sadness blown out.
I'll keep my eyes open.

So, I've taken an unintentional break from this blog. It has been a crazy busy summer and I took time away from here to redefine my intent in blogging. I've decided to use this as a tool to simply practice my craft of writing. I'll try to post more regularly and offer more diverse postings. I'm also part of a writing collective (http://www.youngandfictitious.com/) so you can watch for me there too. There will definitely be some crossover between these two forums. I am very excited to be writing with others. The other blog will have some time, topic and space constraints so this blog will be an outlet for me.
I am suffering from the pangs of decompression since returning from Burning Man on Labor Day. The Burn was amazing again this year, my 5th consecutive. Travelling with friends, camping with amazing people, viewing world class art, the hard-hitting experience of the desolation of the desert all combine to inspire like never before. Fitting back into society, normal, mundane reality is always awkward. I feel boxed in. yet at the same time sense larger horizons, socially and artistically. I've got some projects simmering for the upcoming weeks and months. I'll keep you posted. Here's a run down:
1) the writing collective
    a) an article is in the works about Burning Man, likely to be published by the end of this month
    b) a pictorial on found art
    c) serialization of one of my novellas
    d) a commentary piece on a DJ friend's performance at a dub step venue
2) For Burning Man, my camp mates started an awesome project last year. which I hope to assist in revamping for next year. The theme camp I camp with is called Black Rock Spatial Delivery, "We Take Stuff Places." As on on-playa delivery service we had a great time with this years inaugural "Virgin Letters Project." We asked veteran Burners to write love letters to themselves on their first year camping at Burning Man. We then took those letters and randomly delivered them to virgins this year.  The resulting interactions enriched the Burn for me as never before. I'm super eager to carry on the Project.
3) I'll be formatting a kickstarter campaign for my rebooted educational path. Hopefully I'll be able to put together enough support to pay for a certification program as a yoga teacher and nutrition consultant. Watch here for more details. 
4)And lastly this blog will not be an update, musing, commentary on my life blog. I want to focus on writing content, this post will be an exception rather than the rule; future entries will be more about the craft of writing and the results of the craft.
G'day!