Denver Art Museum

I was invited to a private viewing of the Inspiring Impressionism exhibit at the Denver Art Museum last night. I highly recommend getting there if you can!

http://www.denverartmuseum.org/

Inspiring Impressionism

On view through May 25, 2008

Inspiring Impressionism explores how impressionist artists were inspired by their artistic predecessors—a theme rarely examined in previous exhibitions.

Through side-by-side comparisons, this show demonstrates that impressionists, who are popularly seen as artistic revolutionaries, drew inspiration from earlier artists, including Raphael, El Greco, Rubens, van Rysdael, Velazquez, and Watteau. The exhibition features about 100 works of art, including 65 artworks by impressionist painters like Monet, Degas, and Renoir. Inspiring Impressionism will be on view through May 25, 2008.

The Nature of Light

Reflection and Refraction



Making Light


Animal Vision-dissecting a cow's eye! This was by far my favorite workshop of the day!

I feel fortunate I love my teaching job! Bringing new learning experiences into a students life is very rewarding. This past week we took a group of students on yet another amazing science field trip. Through hands-on experiences they learned about the Nature of Light: Lasers, Light and Animal Vision. I often wish I could have had these opportunities when I was in school. Perhaps this is why I enjoy them so much now!

OWL cam at NCAR

If you're an earlybird you can watch them being fed-usually around 7:00 a.m. mountain time.

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/general/press/webcam/owlcam/

You are currently viewing the nest of our resident Great Horned Owls, "Harold" and "Maude", located at NCAR in Boulder, Colorado. If you're lucky, you'll also get a glimpse of the two small owlets that have recently hatched. The images are live, and update every three seconds.
The bird is one of the most common owls in North America, found everywhere from tundra to desert to rainforest. Known for its prominent ear tufts, the owl's wingspan measures about 40-57 inches (101-145 centimeters). They nest early, laying eggs in January or February through April. Both the male and female incubate eggs for 30-35 days.
Owls often take over a nest used by some other large bird, sometimes adding feathers to line the nest but usually not much more. This owl couple took over our ravens' nest from last year around February 18, 2008. These owls have not been the only squatters of the nest. During the summer of 2007, we had a family of sparrows who lived within the sides of the large nest.
The ravens have not been pleased with their living situation – occasionally circling the area, trying to reoccupy their home. The two owls are unconcerned with the ravens' menacing behavior,and fiercely defend their 'new' nest.
Visit often to follow the progression of the owlets!

Winter is temporarily back!

Stumpy after a wintry ride today! I love Colorado!
It was nice to ride while the spring snow was falling. The birds were gathering big, juicy worms from the moist earth and happily singing as though they too know this snow won't last long. This weekend calls for temps. in the 70's!

Spring in Colorado

Alex playing at Vail Pass.


















I am always amazed and thankful for the weather in Colorado. You can experience multiple seasons in just one weekend! Saturday I was lucky enough to be up at Vail Pass with a friend enjoying some spring snow.

















Sunday I was hiking at Flatirons Vista trail in just a t-shirt, under a bright sun and blue sky.



Flowers are here!

Primate observation

I recently had the opportunity to travel four hours round trip by bus with twenty-five middle school aged kids to observe primates for a science class. On the trip down I couldn't decide what would be more interesting: observing these kids and the "suffering" they experienced without any electronics to keep them occupied and the pubescent behaviors that resulted -or-sitting and watching apes for an hour or two. Once we arrived it was clear. These two were my favorite. Gentle, beautiful and so graceful.

Indonesian Batik

I've enjoyed learning this form of art over the last three years from an amazing artist/teacher named Virginia Schick. You can plan your piece all you want but quickly you learn about letting go of expectations. Once the wax is on-it's ON! There's no turning back. Mixing and applying the dye is a lot like painting so I really like playing with the color. Removing the wax from the fabric is like opening a new gift every time!

"Art embraces all making. All things made are works of art".

Indonesian Batik

This one had no planning-it just happened.