Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Squiggly Organ Pipe Cactus

Squiggly Organ Pipe Cactus © 2011 Bo Mackison

One of my goals during my time in Arizona was to take an all day trip to a place I’d never been, to a place that was at least 150 miles from home base in Tucson. I knew this would be a challenge when I added that goal to my list. At the time, I wasn’t fond of driving and I worried about getting lost.

In the three weeks I’ve been in Tucson, I’ve gotten much better at driving and I’ve been going to lots of new places. Today’s weather was perfect for a drive, so it seemed a good time to get on the road and visit a place I had on my list–Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona.

Considering I left before sunrise this morning and I returned home just as the sun was setting — well, my brain is too tired to say all the spectacular things I’ll want to say when I am more awake. So I’ll post just one photograph for now — I promise there will be many more. I loved this park.

Isn’t this Organ Pipe Cactus against that cloud-streaked Arizona sky a thing of beauty?

(Though I might call this particular specimen an Octopus Cactus! The ones I’ll post tomorrow are better examples of why they are called Organ Pipes, but this one has a lot of character!)

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is living in Tucson for two months, exhibiting her photography in art shows, taking photographs, and blogging about photography, art fairs, and living life “solo.”  She spent the day driving and is going to bed early. More photographs from Organ Pipe NM tomorrow.

Hiking the Loma Verde Trail in Saguaro National Park

On Pink Hill Trail

On Pink Hill Trail © 2011 Bo Mackison

The day was a deep blue sky day in Tucson and I was primed for a desert hike. When I asked Mr. Friendly Park Ranger if he would recommend a hiking trail no longer than three miles, please, he smiled a convincing smile and replied, “Well, the best trail in the park is 3.6 miles long, only a half mile more. Wanna try that one?”

It didn’t seem that much longer, so I agreed. He pulled out a map with a few squiggly lines on it. “So,” he said, “if you take the Loma Verde trail head, follow Loma Verde, make a right at Squeeze Pen, a left at Pink Hill, follow the jog right on Loma Verde North and finally a left on Loma Verde South. You’ll be back at the trail head in two hours.”

Two hours? Knowing I had my camera along, I added another hour onto the estimated time. I could manage a three hour hike, out in the desert, by myself. Sure. Why not? It was 11 o’clock. I’d be back at the car by 2:00, 2:30 at the latest. No matter it was the warmest time of the day. The temperature wasn’t supposed to break 70˚ It was the perfect temperature for exploring the desert.

Tree of Thorns

Tree of Thorns © 2011 Bo Mackison

At the trail head, I emptied my camera backpack of all unessential equipment, then added two bottles of water and some trail bars. By the time I’d gathered my hat, hiking stick, and sun glasses, I was past eager, and ready to be on the trail. The sun was dodging in and out of cloud cover, and a mild breeze was blowing. Perfect hiking weather!

I had never hiked this part of Saguaro National Park, and so everything was new and exciting. There was plenty that needed photographing. There were thousands of saguaros begging to be photographed. And the mountains in the background. And the dancing clouds. Heck, I even took photos of the thorns and the bare branches. There is something about all of the elements of the desert that thrills me.

Cholla Forest

Cholla Forest © 2011 Bo Mackison

One of my favorite parts of the hike was when I entered this little cholla tree forest. Aren’t they cute? Well, they are cute–unless you get too close to one of them. If you brush against one, they “jump” on you. I carefully kept my distance.

Of course, I got lost. Several times. The trails looked well marked until I was out there with no one else in sight, and the name of the trail I was to follow wasn’t on the trail marker. I turned around more than once. And added another mile and a half to an already long-enough hike.

I wasn’t worried about the extra distance, but I did worry about the time. Rangers close the park gates at five. If they found my car on the Cactus Forest Loop after closing time, they would come looking for me. That wouldn’t do. The last mile and a half I put my camera away (sigh!) and hiked back to the car using fast feet.

It was a simply perfect hike (except for the back tracking parts) and I pulled my car out of the park at 4:30. Plenty of time to spare. Next time, I’ll start earlier and take fewer photographs.

Well, I’ll start earlier. I’ll have to re-think that fewer photographs part!

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is living in Tucson for two months, exhibiting her photography in art shows, taking photographs, and blogging about photography, art fairs, and living life “solo.”  She is discovering much more than she ever had anticipated.

Making of an (Art Show) Artist: Part IV – More On the Job Training

Spinning

Spinning © 2011 Bo Mackison

Welcome to my 5 part series on the making of an art show artist!

Part I described my initial questioning about whether or not I could be an art show artist. In Part II, the answer was “yes, do it, but how do I start up?” Part III included a few of the lessons learned from “on the job” training, the real learning is in the doing.

Part IV continues with more lessons learned from the first year’s art shows, learning by doing MORE and MORE art fairs.

A breakthrough happened during our fourth show of the summer. I discovered the magic that happened when Sherpa and I each had our own jobs to do. There isn’t much space to maneuver in a 10′ by 10′ art show tent, and we were forever stepping on each others’ toes. I’d start to do a task and get interrupted. He’d try to finish the task, but it didn’t work as intended. I finally realized that if we each did specific jobs, there would be less confusion with better results.

Sherpa began going for the truck and trailer at closing time, leaving me to pack everything in an organized fashion, and life on the art fair circuit became more peaceful. We were able to get the work done in less time. And with more calm. Division of labor–a good thing to learn.

Our first large show (in Chicago) taught us a different kind of lesson. It’s an easy one to do. Take advantage of the amenities offered by the organizers of the shows. These added benefits may include booth sitters, free breakfasts, and delivered-to-your-booth bottled water for hot, humid summer days in the Midwest.

But the best amenity, and one that quite a few artists ignored, was the artists’ reception held the night before the festival opening. I’m not a party goer, but this is the kind of party I make sure I attend. These receptions are an excellent time not only to meet other artists who will often share their experiences, but it is also a prime time to meet the art patrons in the community.

These are the people who give their time and effort to make art happen. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and they love art! Definitely, they are people worth getting to know. Plus, it was a party! After setting up the booth in the mid-summer heat, food and drink was a great reward.

After a season of art festivals, we had the organization down. We were meeting other artists. And finally, I was getting more comfortable talking to the public. Sherpa is a natural at small talk; he could chat with a cement statue if given the chance. Me? Not so much. I made excuses for my shyness, listing plenty of reasons why I needed time to warm up to conversations. Or why I should avoid a conversation altogether.

Well, warm up time or avoidance are parts of my past. There isn’t enough time for warm-up exercises when customers are in your booth looking at your art. I had to carry on an intelligent conversation with my potential clients, or they would leave the booth, never knowing what they were missing.

It is up to the artist to educate the public about all aspects of your art, and you can’t do much educating by remaining silent, or ducking in the back of the booth. Or even worse, by reading a book or simply ignoring people and not engaging.

Neither Sherpa nor I read or ignore our visitors, but I saw quite a few artists sitting in the back of their booths, half hidden from sight, reading or working crossword puzzles, and never giving their customers even a hello. I also saw those same customers, feeling unwelcome, leave those booths quickly.

It took me quite a few shows before I did much more than smile and offer a friendly “hello” to people who came and looked at my art. A few more shows and I was doing so comfortably, and carrying on conversations. Now I feel confident approaching any visitor in my booth, and talking to them about my art. After all, photography is my passion, and who doesn’t love to talk about their passion with willing listeners!

You can teach an old dog new tricks! Or learn how it is possible for an introvert to be an artist on the art festival circuit!

Part 5–the wrap up.

If you have any questions about showing art at art festivals, or would like to know about a different aspect of art fair circuit routine, feel free to contact me. Use the contact form in the menu.

Driving in Tucson – And a Visit to Tucson Botanical Gardens

"Daddy's Old Sportcoat" Cactus

“Grandpa’s Old Sports Coat” Cactus © 2011 Bo Mackison

This cactus isn’t really named “Grandpa’s Old Sports Coat”, but honestly, my grand-dad had a coat with this exact plaid pattern in the mid 1960s. He never wore yellow flowers on the top of his head, not that I remember, but still. It made me laugh. And I needed some laughing the day I visited with these plants.

It was the day I finally decided to drive in Tucson proper. It seemed time to get to know the city. For over two weeks, I’d been avoiding the busier roads, because that’s how I drive. Even in mid-sized Madison, I often choose to drive through the city rather than drive the more efficient expressway. I’m not one who particularly likes to drive when there’s lots of swerving in and out of traffic. But, being solo in Tucson means there is no one else to hand the car keys to, so I drive. Sigh!

Star Lines

Star Lines © 2011 Bo Mackison

I planned on making only three stops, first two stores and then the Tucson Botanical Gardens. I found my first destination, the bookstore. I wanted to get a decent map of Tucson, and it made sense to go there first. Later, when my iPhone ran out of power and I no longer had my “cheater” map on my phone, I was glad to have the paper map. Inconvenient though it was to keep pulling off the road to check the map, at least I had a vague idea where I was.

Actually, vague isn’t quite true. I was “lost and found” a half dozen times on that first day driving unfamiliar city streets. But I kept finding my way through.

What was it that Robert Frost said? “The only way out is through.” (It was Frost, I looked up the poem, it’s in A Servant to Servants, I always thought that poem unusual, but interesting.) And here I thought he was talking about getting out of a challenging situation, or walking through  life when you hadn’t the energy for one more step.

I didn’t realize it was a perfectly appropriate quote for my driving habits, too.

A Thorny Situations

A Thorny Situation © 2011 Bo Mackison

After an hour of driving in circles–the one-way streets are always going the wrong way–I decided I couldn’t get too terribly lost if I kept heading south, then west, then south, then west. It worked. I wove my way through the streets, and finally arrived at a place that looked familiar. Whew!

In the middle of all that lost driving, I stumbled upon the entrance to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The house which belonged to the donor of the gardens (once a thriving landscaping business) is now the visitor center and gift store. I wandered through several gardens, including the childrens garden, a sensory garden, and a little Zen garden, though I didn’t see everything. Next time.

A few of the cactus looked like they had seen better days. The cactus have good reason for looking a little disheveled. Tucson and much of Arizona had record freezing temperatures a couple of weeks ago. The cacti are not adapted for temperature drops to 13 degrees. A docent I spoke with said it would be quite awhile before they knew the full impact of the cold spell, but many plants, including the aloe and the prickly pear, looked like they might not recover.

Packer Green and Gold in Tucson?

Packer Green and Gold in Tucson? © 2011 Bo Mackison

I never did make it to my third stop – the REI on the other side of town. I wanted to get one of those snazzy flashlights that have a stretchy band like a head band. You can wear the light around your head, like a miner’s lamp, and then your hands are free for holding camera equipment and hiking sticks when you get caught a half mile from the trail and it gets dark. I think the sun sets more rapidly in Arizona than it does in Wisconsin.

When I was at the botanical gardens, I was quite remiss in getting proper IDs for these plants. I took their photographs because they had such interesting details, but quite forgot about checking names. I even found a green and gold plant–do you think there are a lot of Green Bay Packer fans in the Southwest?

This post has been a rambling affair tonight. It’s been a long day, not driving around town or taking photos, but doing paperwork. Yes, even in Tucson, even on days that are utterly delightful, there are days when work needs to be done.

Actually, I am quite thrilled. I was invited to participate in a summer’s worth of shows in the Chicago area. And so today–for eight straight hours–I filled out paperwork and other goodies that were required for the five shows I’ll be doing. Then I had to dash to the post office before closing time to send the papers express mail. It’s exciting news and it is a great way to start planning my summer art fair season.

Now to take a little time for some R & R, and then I’ve another drive planned for tomorrow. But not in the city. I’m heading to the mountains!

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is living in Tucson for two months, exhibiting her photography in art shows, taking photographs, and blogging about photography, art fairs, and living life “solo.”  And she is discovering more than she had anticipated.

In the Desert – Visiting Saguaro National Park

Sonoran Desert IV

In the Desert © 2011 Bo Mackison

The trip to Saguaro National Park has been one of the highlights of my stay in Arizona. I hiked in the Tuscon Mountain Unit on the west side of Tucson, the smaller of the two units that comprise the park. Rincon Mountain Unit is just east of Tucson. The two units are actually separated by the city of Tucson and together they protect more than 90,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert and thousands of saguaros.

Purples, Yellows, Greens in the Desert

Symphony of Desert Color © 2011 Bo Mackison

I love the Sonoran desert region. I love the desert surrounded by mountains. On some winter days, you can stand on the fringe of the desert, look into the mountains, and see the peaks covered with snow.

When I hiked in Saguaro NP, I stopped for a while along the trail. There was no other person in sight, just me and the cacti, the jackrabbits, and a pack of four or five coyotes that sprinted across an arroyo a hundred feet away. I stood there, the sun warming me when it appeared, but there was a fairly heavy cloud cover and the desert light seemed to flicker off and on.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro © 2011 Bo Mackison

I put my camera in my backpack, and just stood there in silence, listening, watching. I became intensely aware of this “place”. The desert is very grounding for me. I felt very solid and strong, standing in its midst, surrounded by this expanse of land.

The desert is by no means a desolate area. My photographs are a testimony to the wealth and diversity of the many growing plants, the contours of the land, the occasional bird or animal flushed from its daytime resting place. I stood near several saguaros, all at least twice as tall as me, all like poles. They had not yet sprouted any arms.

Suddenly I peered at my feet. I thought for a moment I had sunk into the earth, I felt that connected with this desert.

But no, I was standing just as you would expect. I shook off the feeling, and laughed a bit at my sudden fancy. But I do, feel a strong connection with this land, with this whole region. I don’t know exactly what that is all about, but I’m going to keep exploring and I’ll pay close attention to what happens.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is living in Tucson for two months, exhibiting her photography in art shows, taking photographs, and blogging about photography, art fairs, and living life “solo.”  And she is discovering more than she had anticipated.