Monday, December 10, 2007

There's Something Fuzzy...

on the Underground Artists' blog.
See photos of the mysterious Walter and other friends at Kristen's Open Studio/Holiday Sale by clicking here.

9 comments:

ccmhats said...

That Walter! Such feistiness is what I love about felines...

Melissa, did you know that I grew up sort-of-near Lake Tahoe? Such a gorgeous place... no wonder your art is so lovely!

melissa lanitis gregory said...

I had no idea...whereabouts near Tahoe? And you're in New Hampshire, I think? I went to the University of Vermont, way back when! (applied to UNH) It's true that Tahoe influences my art, in a very indirect way. I think it's about being surrounded by stillness (especially since I'm from New York). I'm one of a small minority of Tahoe artists that don't paint the scenery...so your comment was very much appreciated; validating, I think! Thank you.

ccmhats said...

In northern California, Anderson to be exact (right next to Redding, 2 hours north of Sacramento. So, close enough to visit when the oppressive heat of the valley would get to us... Such a beautiful place!

It seems impossible that one's surroundings wouldn't influence one's creative process... I was especially struck by your rich use of color, which reminds me of the gorgeous hues of the lake in summer... ahh, so alluring!

You don't happen to know my friends, Colleen and Zach, do you??

ccmhats said...

Hmm, looks like I forgot to add the ending parenthesis above... here's an extra:

)

(I hate being off-balance!)

melissa lanitis gregory said...

It's true about one's surroundings. New York was too frenetic for me; I never would have been able to hear my own inner dialogue!

I like you immensely for that last comment...I'm actually laughing out loud (not LOL, because I hate that; I'm not lolling, I'm laughing!) I'll tell Colleen and Zach you said hello.

ccmhats said...

Crazy small world, eh?

Hey... you changed your studio soundtrack...!

Yesterday, I noticed you had "Whole Wheat Radio" listed, which is located not far from where I lived in Denali Park, Alaska for many years...

How did you find WWR? Not listening anymore?

And I am entirely in your camp with regards to lolling versus laughing... I much prefer laughing right out loud.

melissa lanitis gregory said...

We love Whole Wheat Radio! My husband somehow stumbled onto them. They're so original and quirky and unpredictable. But I went from a general "what I'm listening to" to more of a "what I'm listening to when I'm working". And I don't have a computer in my studio. I thought it might be cool to keep track of what music is inspiring me to create, but so far all I do is listen to the Garden State soundtrack over and over. Not so interesting, but comforting.

Okay, now I have to ask you what fabulously interesting things you were doing in Denali?

ccmhats said...

(Aren't you nice to ask!)

My time in Denali included bussing tables at a local hotel, several volunteering gigs with the Park Service (backcountry desk, data entry for bear biologists, and handler at the sled dog kennels).

These helped me eventually get paid ranger work (including the badge and hat!), leading hikes, giving slide shows, etc.

I also worked on the trail crew in the remote, mosquito-infested backcountry a couple of summers, before finally working a sales job at the nicest art gallery in Denali.

All in all, a wonderful decade...

But in the end, we really wanted a garden...

But we sure do miss it!

Have you ever been to Alaska?

melissa lanitis gregory said...

Sounds interesting and exciting! I've never been to Alaska; as a New Yorker, the Big Dream was always to come to California. My husband used to have the Alaska Fantasy, but I think he's over it. Just as well; Tahoe is wild enough for this New York girl!