Tracey in Maine

What you see is the culmination of one man’s work over the course of 15 years now named the Philadelphia Magic Gardens.
From their website:

“[Isaiah] Zagar started working on the Magic Gardens in 1994 in the vacant lot nearby his studio. He began by constructing a massive fence to protect the area from harm and then spent the next fourteen years excavating tunnels and grottos, sculpting multi-layered walls, and tiling and grouting the 3,000 square foot space. The installation pays tribute to Zagar’s many artistic influences, as well as the events and experiences of his life. Enveloped in visual anecdotes, the mosaicked walls refer to his wife Julia and sons Ezekiel and Jeremiah through playful images and words, but also reference important elements of the wider world. Las Pozas and Day of the Dead, the dance community of Philadelphia, and even the airplanes of the nationwide 9/11 tragedy.

A mountainous landscape in some far away place.  Stars shine in the dark waters flowing past rocky shores.  At least that’s what I see on screen.

But in reality?

In fact, the landscape is two pieces of paper juxtaposed.  I had been working with paper on the kitchen table when afternoon sunlight hit these two — a textured brown and a sheet of black — in such a way that I could not help but snap a photo.  Later, on the computer, I desaturated the color and then my imagination took over. 😉

A leaf found in a field on the way home.  I let it sit in the window a few days to dry.  I still have it, tucked safely away, so we’ll see how it continues to evolve.

A mountainous landscape in some far away place.  Stars shine in the dark waters flowing past rocky shores.  At least that’s what I see on screen.

But in reality?

In fact, the landscape is two pieces of paper juxtaposed.  I had been working with paper on the kitchen table when afternoon sunlight hit these two — a textured brown and a sheet of black — in such a way that I could not help but snap a photo.  Later, on the computer, I desaturated the color and then my imagination took over. 😉

I must admit that I felt almost like a voyeur snapping this photo in the woods.

In honor of my birthday month, I will be shaking things up a little bit, Waldo-style! For this month’s Nature Challenge, we will be exploring the environment through the creation of a “Where’s Waldo”-style drawing!

Unfortunately (sort of) I will be living the unplugged life on a beach in Mexico during this challenge, so will not be able to post my daily challenges. I will, however, still be participating in the challenge during my trip. When I return from my vacation, I will post my results of the challenge! Since I won’t be able to post a daily tip for the challenge, I’ve included a tip for each day below:

DAY ONE: Since your drawing is going to be fairly detailed for this challenge, begin with a smaller paper (no bigger than 6″X6″…unless you are inspired to work on a larger canvas!) Today, focus on your background. Try to draw…